AL State Rep Celebrated KKK During John Lewis Tribute

The Birmingham News reports:

The Alabama Democratic Party renewed its call for a state lawmaker to step down after he posted on social media that he had a “great time” honoring Confederate Army General and Ku Klux Klan leader Nathan Bedford Forrest over the weekend.

And while the state’s Republican Party isn’t asking Rep. Will Dismukes, R-Prattville, to resign, the party’s chairwoman called the tribute improper. Dismukes said on Facebook Sunday that he had a “great time” celebrating Forrest’s birthday at Fort Dixie in Selma, adding that he gave the invocation for the festivities.

“Always a great time and some sure good enough eating!!” wrote Dismukes, who is a chaplain for the Prattville Dragoons, a chapter of the Sons of the Confederacy.

Dismukes is a Baptist preacher.

I cannot fathom why anyone in 2020 celebrates the birthday of the 1st KKK Grand Wizard. And while the body of a civil rights icon beaten by the Klan lies at state Capitol being honored by GOP/Dem leaders from all over the state. This mentality does not rep my party or my faith.

— Rep. Danny Garrett (@DannyGarrett44) July 27, 2020

Rep. Will Dismukes (R—1865) spent today honoring a KKK founder rather than a giant of the Civil Rights Movement. Both events were in Selma, but there really aren’t two sides to this.

Want fewer folks like Will Dismukes getting elected in Alabama? Help us: https://t.co/e9cnBpQ5Eq pic.twitter.com/pIbtq3gs79

— Alabama Democrats (@aldemocrats) July 26, 2020