NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Tennessee lawmakers are calling for a closer look at our own state symbols
following South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley’s statement Monday that the Confederate flag should be removed from their state capitol grounds. The controversial decision was made in light of the Charleston massacre last week.
In Tennessee a state symbols in question includes a controversial bust of Confederate General and KKK leader Nathan Bedford Forrest.
The statue of Forrest has been displayed at the State Capitol for years. But now House Democratic Leader Craig Fitzhugh says it's better suited to a museum.
"We need to revisit what we have displayed in the capitol so that it better represents a Tennessee for all of us," he said in a statement. He also noted there are few displays including women and just one depicting African Americans.
U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper agrees.
In a statement Cooper said "symbols of hate should not be promoted by government. South Carolina should remove the Confederate battle flag from its Capitol, and Tennessee should remove the bust of Forrest inside our Capitol."
Coming out against the call for local changes are the Sons of Confederate Veterans.
Chief of Staff of the Tennessee Division Jerry Raymer said "Forrest is considered one of the greatest military geniuses the world has known. And he is a historical Tennessean. He deserves a place of honor in our Capitol building."
Tennessee's U.S. Senators have not mentioned the Forrest bust on state grounds, but both came out in favor of removing the South Carolina flag.
Senator Bob Corker said "if I were there, I would certainly vote to have it come down...it serves no purpose anymore, especially after what has occurred [in Charleston]."
Senator Lamar Alexander said "it is up to the people of South Carolina, but I hope they remove a flag that many see as a symbol of racial intolerance."
In addition to the fight over the state capitol bust, mayoral candidate Megan Barry announced Monday she wants to block a much larger Forrest monument on I-65. The statue was built by Jack Kershaw, a Nashville man who started the "League of the South," which is classified as a hate group.
"This is an offensive display of hatred that should not be a symbol for a progressive and welcoming city such as Nashville," Barry said.
Barry says while it's on private property, the city could raise private funds to put trees and brush in front of it.
The Sons of Confederate Veterans say they're glad Barry is letting voters know her plans up front so they can make better decisions at the polls.
Governor Haslam's office did not immediately respond to interview requests regarding either call to action.
