The Tennessean reports:
Gov. Bill Lee has proclaimed Saturday as Nathan Bedford Forrest Day in Tennessee, a day of observation to honor the former Confederate general and early Ku Klux Klan leader whose bust is on display in the state Capitol.
Per state law, the Tennessee governor is tasked with issuing proclamations for six separate days of special observation, three of which, including the July 13 Forrest Day, pertain to the Confederacy.
Lee — and governors who have come before him — are also required by state law to proclaim Jan. 19 as Robert E. Lee Day, honoring the commander of the Confederate Army, as well as June 3 Confederate Decoration Day, otherwise known as Confederate Memorial Day and the birthday of Confederate President Jefferson Davis.
Everyone would be perfectly fine without Nathan Bedford Forrest Day.
Everyone.
Instead, @GovBillLee did this. pic.twitter.com/JbFwluVav4
— Grogan (@TrampusRex) July 12, 2019
@GovBillLee has chosen to sign a proclamation declaring July 13 Nathan Bedford Forrest Day in Tennessee. Forrest was a slave trader, Confederate general responsible for the massacre of black Union soldiers at Fort Pillow and a Klan leader. Tennessee values? Really? pic.twitter.com/rC8frd8kJD
— Kevin M. Levin (@KevinLevin) July 12, 2019
So everything’s fine, Tennessee is just celebrating Nathan Bedford Forrest again. How exactly do we celebrate? Burn crosses, suppress the vote? Commit treason against the United States? Grits cupcakes? pic.twitter.com/fjZdJ1AAys
— sheila kethley❄️ (@Quel_the_hell) July 12, 2019
Per state law, Gov. Bill Lee has signed a proclamation declaring tomorrow Nathan Bedford Forrest Day, which honors the Confederate general and early KKK grand wizard. Lee said he has not considered changing that law. #tnleg https://t.co/zLOfEnXgY3
— Natalie Allison (@natalie_allison) July 12, 2019