The chairman of the Alabama Democratic Party on Tuesday demanded the state stop celebrating a holiday to commemorate the Civil War’s Confederate States president Jefferson Davis.
In a tweet attached to a letter to GOP Gov. Kay Ivey, Chris England said the state legislature be given the chance to repeal the holiday at the "earliest opportunity."
“This is a necessary step,” he tweeted.
"We both know Alabamaians of goodwill have enough shared values to find common ground, even on emotional issues," England's letter stated, arguing a "traitor" and racist shouldn’t get a state holiday.
"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.
Other Alabama Democrats echoed those sentiments, including Rep.Terri Sewell, who posted her demand on Facebook.
“The protests we've seen may have been sparked by Floyd's murder, but our nation's racial divide is long and wide,” she wrote.
"Today in Alabama, many state offices are closed to honor Jefferson Davis, the president of the Confederacy. We need atonement to heal. We need atonement to heal. It's time to end this 'holiday.'"
Alabama is the only state in the United States to continue a commemoration of 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.
© 2026 Newsmax. All rights reserved.