GOP majority rejects Sen. Gilmore’s effort to end state holiday honoring slave trader, KKK leader

NASHVILLE — The Republican majority in the state Senate rejected an effort to end the state holiday honoring Nathan Bedford Forrest, an enslaver and early leader of the Ku Klux Klan.

Sen. Brenda Gilmore (D-Nashville) proposed an amendment on the Senate floor June 10 to officially end the state holiday. With 20 votes, the Senate’s Republican majority killed the effort.

Sen. Gilmore released a statement following the vote:

Nathan Bedford Forrest’s legacy of racism and white supremacy has only inspired more terror, hate and division. These scars have not healed and fresh wounds open daily.

Tennesseans want desperately for our leaders to move forward together as one people — black, white and brown. But true progress on racial justice and equity must start with reconciling our past.

I am disappointed the governor did not follow through on his promise to end the state’s celebration of Nathan Bedford Forrest and I am disappointed that more of my Republican colleagues did not join in this effort to begin healing.

But I am not deterred. We will continue this conversation until we remove every symbol of hate and terror from our laws and public buildings.

As approved by the General Assembly, Senate Bill 2199 will keep Nathan Bedford Forrest Day in state law, but will eliminate the requirement that governor issue a proclamation noting the holiday.