Time to rename the Edmund Pettus Bridge.

[yellowcanine]

Pettus was a Confederate general and KKK leader. Naming the bridge for him in 1940 was a clear message to African Americans that white supremacy still ruled the day in Alabama. And Alabama state troopers drove home that message on Bloody Sunday in 1965 by beating John Lewis and others nearly to death for having the temerity to demand the right to vote. Name the bridge for Lewis if his family agrees. But in any case get rid of the Pettus name on the bridge.

[Wounded Bear]

1. K & R...nt

[mobeau69]

2. No. It's an old POS bridge not worthy of John's name. Let it stand as is as

a reminder of the hatred and bigotry that civil rights heroes like John fought and died to overcome. If the bridge would have been renamed a decade ago the iconic vision and photo of our first black president driving over it into Selma in the Beast with the name of the racist traitor stenciled overhead would not have been possible. Just leave it stand until it rusts away and falls to the river below on it’s own. Our children, grandchildren or great grandchildren can witness that event and learn.

[customerserviceguy]

4. At some point

it will have to be rebuilt, then John Lewis' name would be fitting for it.

[pandr32]

5. Now that sounds like a plan!

[Hekate]

3. And yet the phrase "He marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge"

...rings with honor and victory.

[mobeau69]

6. Yes it does and always will.

[lastlib]

7. I've proposed what you might call a compromise....

Keep the "Pettus" name for the historical value--but add Lewis' to it.... make it "the Edmund Pettus-John L. Lewis Freedom Bridge."

The bridge is on the Historical Register, isn' it? That strikes me as a reason to keep Pettus' name on it...