New Orleans Rep. Matthew Willard (D)
New Orleans Representative Matthew Williard says he’s receiving death threats over his legislation to remove Robert E Lee Day and Confederate Memorial Day as legal holidays in Louisiana. Willard says authorities are investigating a voice mail his office received
“A gentleman called that I should be dragged out onto the lawn of the state capitol and executed,” said Willard.
Williard made that statement minutes before a Senate committee approved his legislation, sending the House-backed measure to the Senate floor. Minden Senator Robert Mills says these Confederate holidays are part of the country’s history.
“If people want to celebrate them they are welcome to, if they don’t want to celebrate them they are welcomed too, they haven’t bothered me a bit,” said Mills.
But Williard says the two holidays, Robert E Lee Day and Confederate Memorial Day, honor those who fought to maintain slavery in the United States.
“The stains, the torture, the dark history, a lot of black people in this state, still carry that around,” said Willard.
The Senate Judiciary A committee voted for the bill on a four to two vote. It heads to the Senate floor. It’s already been approved by the House.
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