Rope found near MLK Memorial in Washington

A section of rope was found near the MLK Memorial in Washington on Friday, two days after a noose was discovered inside the National Museum of African American History and Culture, U.S. Park Police said.

The piece of rope was found on a bench at the memorial on near the National Mall. A visitor turned it in at the memorial’s bookstore.

Police did not release any further information.

On Wednesday, a noose was found inside the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.

"The noose has long represented a deplorable act of cowardice and depravity — a symbol of extreme violence for African Americans," said Lonnie Bunch, the director of the African American history museum.