Sons of Confederate Veterans can’t appeal statues’ removal

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Tennessee Supreme Court will not consider an appeal related to Memphis’ removal of statues of Confederate leaders Nathan Bedford Forrest and Jefferson Davis from two parks.

City officials circumvented a state law limiting the removal of historical memorials from public property by selling the parks to a private non-profit.

Davidson County Chancellor Ellen Hobbs Lyle ruled last year that the removals did not violate state law because they were on private property when removed.

The state Supreme Court this week ruled it would not hear an appeal by the Sons of Confederate Veterans.

A statement from Memphis Chief Legal Officer Bruce McMullen says the denial ends the litigation and will allow the non-profit Memphis Greenspace to “relocate the statues to an appropriate venue outside of Shelby County.”