Bill would make it harder to remove Confederate statues (TN)

[struggle4progress]

By Erik Schelzig/Associated Press
Posted Feb. 18, 2016 at 4:55 PM

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee House has passed a bill that would make it more difficult to remove statues or rename streets dedicated to historical figures including Confederate leaders.

The chamber voted 71-23 on Thursday to approve .. the “Tennessee Heritage Protection Act” ...

http://www.oakridger.com/article/20160218/NEWS/160219894

[struggle4progress]

1. House passes bill making it harder to remove controversial statues

Joel Ebert
11:43 p.m. CST February 18, 2016

... Rep. Johnny Shaw, D-Bolivar, said he thought the bill was insensitive. "I think we are really endorsing some criminal acts that took place years ago," he said.

Shaw said he doesn't believe there is justice for everyone when there is a statue memorializing a controversial figure. "That's kind of like putting a statue of Hitler in a Jewish community," he said. "I just don't think that's a good thing to do"...

... Rep. Jeremy Faison, R-Cosby, said the issue was not about racial insensitivity but rather about preserving history ... Faison said he recently attended "Motown The Musical" ...

http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2016/02/18/bill-making-harder-remove-controversial-statues-advances/80553652/