Alabama Democrats call for state to end holiday commemorating Confederate leader

As protests speaking out against racial injustice and police brutality spread across the nation, some Alabama Democratic lawmakers are demanding the state stop celebrating a holiday commemorating the leader of the Confederacy.

The lawmakers are calling for the state to take the steps to repeal a code that authorizes a holiday for Jefferson Davis, who was the president of the Confederate States during the Civil War.

The holiday was observed in Alabama on Monday, as demonstrators gathered in cities throughout the U.S. in response to the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who died in police custody. 

State Rep. Chris England (D) and Rep. Terri Sewell (D), who represents Alabama’s 7th Congressional District, said in statements this week that the widespread protests showcased why the holiday needed to end. 

England, chairman of the Alabama Democratic Party, on Thursday, urged Gov. Kay Ivey (R) to give the legislature the opportunity to repeal the holiday at the “earliest opportunity.” In a letter to the governor, England called on the Ivey make sure the issue was addressed if she convened a special session for the legislature this summer. 

“We both know Alabamaians of goodwill have enough shared values to find common ground, even on emotional issues,” England said in the letter, arguing that a “traitor” and racist should not receive a holiday in the state. 

“Davis’ beliefs regarding race were wrong in 1861, they are wrong today, and they are worthy only of infamy, not honor. I know you and my colleagues agree,” he added.  

I sent this letter to @GovernorKayIvey regarding repeal of the Jefferson Davis state holiday. If you agree, please reach out to the Governor and your representatives and let them know how you feel. Although I know that much more work needs to be done, this is a necessary step. pic.twitter.com/rPiWgjTGbx

— Chris England (@RepEngland70) June 4, 2020

Sewell echoed those comments in a Facebook post on Monday, saying that “the protests we’ve seen may have been sparked by Floyd’s murder, but our nation’s racial divide is long and wide.”

“Today in Alabama, many state offices are closed to honor Jefferson Davis, the president of the Confederacy. We need atonement to heal,” she said. “It’s time to end this ‘holiday.'”

Alabama is the only state in the U.S. to still commemorate the birth of Davis with a holiday, according to Al.com. The state also observes a holiday for Confederate general Robert E. Lee and has an annual Confederate Memorial Day in April. 

Gina Maiola, a spokeswoman for Ivey, told The Hill that a move to repeal the holiday commemorating Davis would have to start with the legislature. 

“However, Governor Ivey is certainly open to sitting down with lawmakers to discuss this proposal,” Maiola said.

Monuments to the Confederacy have been the targets of vandalism in many parts of the U.S. amid the escalating unrest over the death of Floyd. Cities and states have also announced plans to remove statues commemorating Confederate figures in recent days.

In Birmingham, Ala., on Monday, authorities ordered a Confederate monument that was targeted by demonstrators to be taken down, in a move that was orchestrated in defiance of state law. Workers hired by the city took down every piece of a five-story, 115-year-old Confederate Soldiers and Sailors Monument by Tuesday morning.