Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour has come under fire for failing to condemn efforts by the state's Sons of Confederate Veterans to institute a license plate commemorating Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest. Historically, Forrest has been both hailed for his military brilliance and condemned for his brutality both during and after the Civil War. The general infamously slaughtered black Union troops that surrendered at Fort Pillow Tennessee in 1864 and became a Grand Wizard in the KKK after the war ended. The proposal must be approved by the state legislature and signed by Gov. Haley Barbour.
This license plate controversy comes just months after Barbour, a Republican, told a weekly magazine that he does not remember the 1960s civil rights struggle in his hometown in Yazoo City as being "that bad."
Miss. plan for KKK leader license plate criticized - U.S. news - Life - msnbc.com
Report: Mississippi under fire for considering KKK leader and Confederate hero on license plate — Autoblog
This license plate controversy comes just months after Barbour, a Republican, told a weekly magazine that he does not remember the 1960s civil rights struggle in his hometown in Yazoo City as being "that bad."
Miss. plan for KKK leader license plate criticized - U.S. news - Life - msnbc.com
Report: Mississippi under fire for considering KKK leader and Confederate hero on license plate — Autoblog