Bust of former KKK leader pushed out of Nashville capitol to sit in museum

Inside the state capitol Friday, workers lowered chains from a lift machine to wrap around the bronze bust of former KKK leader Nathan Bedford Forrest.

Its next stop is just a few blocks away at the Tennessee State Museum after a decisive vote by the Tennessee Building Commission and years of protest from African American residents and General Assembly members.

Governor Lee endorsed its exit from its capitol grounds’ perch but several lawmakers including Lt. Gov. Randy McNally objected to the move.

Museum officials gave an estimated cost of $25,000 to move the bust to its new home. Last month, the remains of the general and his wife were removed from their graves in a Memphis park and were shipped to a Confederate museum in Columbia.

(IMAGE: K. Krusei / Associated Press)