Tuesday, February 26, 2013

A Ku Klux Klan chapter has been granted a demonstration permit to protest the renaming of three Memphis parks that honored the Confederacy and two of its most prominent figures.

In a written statement Tuesday, City Attorney Herman Morris said the permit was issued to the Loyal White Knights, which plans a rally in Memphis on March 30.

The planned protest is in response to the renaming of Nathan Bedford Forrest Park, Jefferson Davis Park and Confederate Park by the City Council on Feb. 5.

The name change angered fans of Forrest, a slave trader and Confederate cavalryman who was a member of the first version of the Klan. Supporters of the changes say Forrest was a racist who should not be honored with a park.