Honoring the first grand wizard of the KKK doesn't help attract businesses to Tennessee,
and it doesn't leave visitors with a positive impression of Tennesseans' values.
As of Mar 24, 2025 @ 9:10 pm​ CST
​1,495 Twitter Followers
623 Named Supporters* listed below (~96.3%)
65 Leaders Support*
13 Historians Support
9 Clergy Support
22 Oppose (~3.7%)
* Includes 7 "Open-minded" & 2 "Helpful" TNGA House Reps + Clergy
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Why Memorials Matter
(A humorous video)
The Significance of
​Removing Confederate Monuments
Mitch Landreiu, Mayor of New Orleans, May 23, 2017
WHO WAS HE?
Nathan Bedford Forrest,
first GRAND WIZARD
of the KKK
A CALL for CHANGE
Many are requesting
​a name change.
​WILL YOU JOIN US?
OTHER MEMORIALS
10 other Forrest memorials
already 
​​REMOVED or UPDATED
ONLINE CHATTER
PEOPLE REJECT
​ Nathan Bedford Forrest
memorials

Tennessee State Parks:

Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park.
Please do not honor a man associated with the early years and leadership of the Ku Klux Klan.
It discourages businesses and causes tourists to question the values and intentions of Tennesseans.
Supporters / Open-Minded / Helpful
  • Carol Abney | 2020 Candidate for TNGA House Rep - Dist 38 | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."Park names should be chosen with careful thought and should make all Tennesseans proud. Glorifying an original member of the KKK is wrong, not to mention embarassing."
  • Raumesh Akbari | TNGA Senator D29 | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Amal Altareb | Teacher | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Bruce Angel | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. If I wanted to leave residents and visitors inspired I’d name the park Inspiration State Park complete with scenic overlooks and waypoints showcasing the natural wonders and beauty."
  • Anna | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • ​Rev. Nell Archer | Concerned Citizen and Episcopal Priest  | NY (grew up in TN and still have family there) | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Tru Austo | Retired military CPT | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Ginny Ayers | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • ​Andrew B | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Paul B | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Kristen Ball | Concerned Citizen and Tennessee State Parks Supporter | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Sonya Bannan | Believer in love others as you love yourself​ | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Michael Barin | Citizen & Historian​ | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. The bust was finally removed. NBFs name will live on in history books as the scourge he was. Leaving his name on a state park is honoring him and his cause as a traitor and war criminal. Is this who we want TN to be defined by?"
  • Jeremiah Barnes | Air Force veteran and School teacher | Lived in TN for 12 yrs  | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. This is just shameful. Rename the park and remove the bust from the capitol."
  • Bill Beck | TNGA House Rep HD51 | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Fabian Bedne | Nashville Metro Council Member Dist 6 | TN | ​"Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Cody Behel | Champion | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. Not a close call. Do the right thing."
  • ​Henry Bell | Concerned Citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. Not a close call. Do the right thing."
  • Jeanice Blancett | Concerned citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Sam Bledsoe | 2020 Candidate for TNGA House Rep HD61 | ​​"Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Jacob Bratcher | Historian | GA | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Richard Briggs | TNGA Senator D7 | TN | Open-minded & Helpful
  • Kristin G Bigham | Concerned Citizen  | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • ​Warren Blake | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Jared Bosi | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Annika Brakebill | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Mia Brakebill | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Anna Breeden | Lifelong Tennessean, recent graduate of UTK | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Rusty H Briggs| Patriot citizen | TX (may relocate to TN) | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. My son and his beautiful family live in Knoxville, and we visit a few times a year."
  • Patricia Broyles | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • M Buchanan | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Jessica Burks | Student and concerned Tennessee citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Dwight Burrey | Concerned Tennessean | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Erin Butler | Concerned Citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. Everyone should feel welcome in our state parks. The south lost and this name represents hate and honors the Confederacy. Please Rename this park!"
  • Maren Bzdek | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Valorie Calton | Concerned Citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Karen Camper | TNGA House Rep - Dist 87 ​| TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Karen Carr | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Riley Carter | Concerned Citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Anne Casey | Concerned citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Jesse Chism | TNGA House Rep - Dist 85 | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Regina Chambers | Concerned citizen | Memphis (born/raised); MI (now) | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • McKinney Christine | Concerned Citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Matt Chvasta | Tennessee Voter | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Barbara Clark | Concerned Citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. Remove his statue from the capital and anywhere else it is."
  • Karen Clark | Concerned Citizens, Tax Payer, Voter, Camper, Hiker | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park." 
  • Dylan Clarke  | Student | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • John Ray Clemmons | TNGA House Rep - Dist 13 | "The name of the [Nathan Bedford Forrest] state park should absolutely be changed."
  • Tom Coffey | Citizen of TN, graduate of UT-Knoxville | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Judy Coode | Native Tennessean | Washington DC | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Marijo Cooke | Native Tennessean, teacher | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Peter Cole | History Professor | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. It is unconscionable that the state of Tennessee continues to honor a man who was a slave trader, in charge of the unit that conducted the Fort Pillow Massacre, and served as the first Grand Wizard of the KKK. Naming a park after him doesn't do justice to 'Southern heritage.' Rather, it insults the lives of the thousands of human beings that Forrest bought, sold, and killed. Symbols and names matter. Rename this park.​"
  • Lori Coleman | Political activist | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Jim Coley | TNGA House Rep HD97 | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."​
  • Steven Collier | Human being | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Maureen Comella | Concerned Citizen | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. The obsession some have with honoring this racist with parks, statues, and holidays is embarrassing.  Surely we can find a better name for this park."
  • Marijo Cook | Teacher | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Barbara Ward Cooper | TNGA House Rep HD86 | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Jake Costenaro | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. The KKK and the Confederacy were America’s 1st attempts at fascist rule, and I stand against ALL fascism. Proud to help better my state the only way I know how."
  • ​Ryan A. Cousar | Executive Advertising Representative with a Tennessee Press Association publication | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • ​Melissa Covington | 2019 Candidate for Nashville Metropolitan Council District 21 + Concerned Citizen, Nurse | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Margaret Cowan | Concerned citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. 
  • Casey Crowe | Concerned Citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Patrick Cummigns | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • ​​Michael Curcio | TNGA House Rep HD69 | TN | "Like you, I and the members of the Tennessee General Assembly understand the importance of remembering our past, while ensuring that the past is understood in its context.  We also understand that from time to time, the desire of the people will inevitably change. In order to accommodate such changes, the Tennessee General Assembly enacted the Tennessee Heritage Protection Acts of 2013 and 2016."
  • ​Joe Cusumano | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. The 1st leader of the KKK and murderer of surrendered blacks in The Civil War should NOT BE HONORED."
  • Anthony Davis |  Nashville Metro Council Member Elect Dist 7 | TN | ​"Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Janice Davis | Concerned citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. Please also remove the bust from our state capital!"
  • Terence Davis | Concerned Citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Amy Dawson | Concerned Citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Kristin Delacqua | Concerned citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Brenda Diaz | Concerned citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Vincent Dixie | TNGA House Rep - Dist 54 | TN | ​"Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Jordan Dodson | concerned citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Shannon Donahey | Concerned citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Evans Donnell | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • David Daugherty | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Jill Drouillard | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Dave Duncan | Decent Human Being | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. Honoring this domestic terrorist is a disgrace. Please change the name to honor an actual Tennessee hero instead. Thank you."
  • David Duncan | Small business owner | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. I’m a graduate of MTSU.
    My son graduated UT Knoxville. My daughter attends Rhodes College in Memphis. We feel it brings ridicule and disrespect to our state of Tennessee to have a state park and honorary bust at the capital glorifying the mass murdering terrorist NB Forrest.
    It would be such a small step to rename this park and would have a great message of unification for the residents of our state.
    We honestly don’t understand why anyone would glorify a mass murdering racist. Thank you."
  • ​Bill Dunn | TNGA House Rep HD16 ​| TN | "Open-minded"
  • Lyder Dyer | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Debra Dylan | Concerned citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Eddie | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Donna Edwards | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Bitania Endalkachew | Concerned Citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • ​Philip Fann | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Andrew Farmer |  TNGA House Rep HD17 | TN | ​​"Open-minded"
  • Tracey Farrell | Citizen, Native Southerner, & State Park Fan​ | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Marilyn Finley | Concerned Citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Sarah Fisher | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Eleanor Fleming | Concerned citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Catherine Flemming | Concerned Citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Pat Foken | Concerned Citizen​ | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Joseph Forrest | Direct Ancestor of NBF​ | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Bob Freeman | TNGA House Rep - Dist 56 | TN | ​​"Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Jason Fugate | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Tiffany Frye | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Lauren Gann | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Thelma Garrett | concerned citizen who stays at many different campgrounds | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. Nathan Bedford should not receive this type of "recognition" and certainly the State of TN does not need a negative symbol of racism."
  • ​Deb Garriott | Mom, Concerned Citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Nathan Gebhart | Anti-racist | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Tammy George | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Barbara Gibbs | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Michelle Gill | Concerned citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Joyce Glover | Camper, concerned citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Sue Godbee | Concerned citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Noel K Goldsmith | Concerned Citizen/Veteran-US ARMY | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. It is past time to bury the nonsense of honoring TRAITOROUS individuals associated with this state under the excuse of honoring our culture, history or memories of grandparents. The world has changed and the Confederacy is DEAD AND SHOULD BE BURIED FOREVER!"
  • ​Georgia Goodman | concerned citizen | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. Honoring evil is an evil act. Please don't honor the KKK."
  • Scott Gordon | Citizen. Camper. | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Meg Gorman | 2020 Candidate for US Rep in Congress from TN Dist 3 | ​​"Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Anna Grabowski | retired Tennessee public school teacher | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Eugenia Grayer | Concerned citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Amy Green | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Gregory Griffin | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Kelley Griggs | Concerned citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Kirk Gripenstraw | Hiker, historian, father | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Carole Grooms | Respectful citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. I just read an article on this state park in the recent issue of the Middle TN Electric Co-op's monthly magazine. I was truly surprised to find that we still have a state park named unabashedly for N.B. Forrest. It would be such a simple and meaningful change to make."
  • Brittany Haas | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • ​Monica Hahn | Proud American | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. I’ve lived in 6 different states. I’m a lifelong supporter of our parks. They should be named for people of honor, not people who don’t share our values.​"
  • Georgia Hall | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Lauren Hall | Former officer and native Tennessean | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Neil Hansen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. Why does Tennessee — a state that claims to preserve the ideals of liberty and justice for all — have so many parks, public areas and monuments to honor the Confederacy, a treasonous short-lived "country" formed in direct opposition to those aims? All who claim today to love America, liberty and justice should find such commemoration abhorrent and anti-American, to say the least."
  • Robin Happel | Concerned citizen (born & raised in Tennessee) | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. Renaming the park isn’t erasing the past, but simply saying that parts of our past belong in a museum rather than on a pedestal. If we truly want to commemorate Southern heritage, we should have more public monuments to forgotten civil rights leaders, similar to how North Carolina honors Henry Berry Lowrie, or my hometown has a plaque commemorating the students who integrated the local college. Why not commemorate the Southern Unionists massacred at Limestone Cove and countless other small towns across Tennessee, or the enslaved people who helped build our state, instead of the man who murdered them?"
  • G.A. Hardaway |  TNGA House Rep HD93 | TN | ​​"Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Karen Hardin | Concerned citizen and constituent ​ | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Lauren Harmon | Concerned citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Bethsahida Harrigan | Concerned citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Joseph Harris | State citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Molly Harris | Concerned citizen  | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • ​Jillian Harrison | Concerned Citizen | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. To honor a man known for [belonging to the KKK] ... and leading a brutal massacre of mostly African Americans during the Civil War sends a message that racism is acceptable & alive and well in the “Volunteer” state. Stating on your website that Nathan Bedford Forrest is “controversial”, yet still worthy of being memorialized by naming a state park for him is ludicrous and offensive. I will not support or visit a state park that honors such a person and I urge you to rename this state park. I’d suggest honoring a prominent and worthy African American Tennessean. Perhaps someone like James C. Napier or Alex Haley."
  • Kathleen Harrison | Concerned citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Nik Harrison | Tennessee state native | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Traci Harvey | Concerned citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. It's beyond time, crazy this is even a question."
  • Lauren Harmon | Concerned citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Meghan Hayes | Voter | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • ​Seth Hayes | Concerned citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. Nathan Bedford Forrest was a lieutenant General in the Confederate Army that slaughtered black soldiers that had already surrendered at the Battle of Fort Pillow. He was also the first Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan. He is not worthy of being commemorated in the name of this park and the name should be changed immediately."
  • ​Brenda Haywood |  Nashville Metro Council Member Dist 3 | TN | ​​"Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. I thank you for this important opportunity!"
  • David Hearn | Decendant of William Nelson Hearn who survived the Civil War under NBF command | IL | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Anthony Heggie | History Buff | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Paul Heibing | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Alex Hellman | concerned citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Steve Henke | Outdoorsman | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • ​​Katie Hieatt | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Justin Hiltner | Resident, activist | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Penny Hilton | Concerned Citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • ​A. Hodges | Concerned citizen | ​TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Jason Hodges |  TNGA House Rep - Dist 67 | TN | ​"Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Carole Hollis | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Gary Hook | Educator | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Helen Hooper-Hirst | Concerned Citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Miss Eden Horton | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Renee Hoyos | 2020 Candidate for US Representative in Congress from Tennessee District 2 | TN
    "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Paul Hughes | Concerned Citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Liz Ireland | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Lorrie Jackson | Concerned citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Robert Jackson | Citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Jameka | Software Engineer | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Jeff | Concerned citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Andrew Jeffries | Concerned citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Laurel Jenkins-Crowe | TN citizen and voter | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Darren Jerigan |  TNGA House Rep HD60 | TN | ​"Open-minded"
  • Donna J Jessee | Concerned citizen and member of TN healthcare community.  | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. Tennessee must "Be Better". In a time of rising white nationalism and the violence and terrorism associated with that, this is a stain and an embarassment for our state. Morality and ethics demand this, future economic prosperity for the state may depend upon it."
  • Manfred Jessee  | Concerned Citizen  | "The fact that Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park honors the first grand wizard of the KKK is concerning. Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park ASAP. Also, please move his bust from our state capitol to an appropriate TN museum where it belongs, displayed with the proper context and historical narrative. In a time when white nationalism is on the rise along with the violence and terrorism associated with that, TN must Be Better, not only for moral and ethical reasons, but our future economic prosperity may depend upon it. Thank you!"
  • Jessica | Concerned Citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • ​Gloria Johnson | TNGA House Rep - Dist 13 | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Jennifer Johnson | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Kent Johnson | CONCERNED CITIZEN | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. Suggestion: Tennessee Unionists State Park. (In honor of the 42,000 Tennesseans who fought for the United States of America in the Civil War.)"
  • Mina Johnson |  Nashville Metro Council Member Dist 23 | TN | "I do support the effort to rename the park. I believe we do need to remember the history to learn from the past mistakes. However, we do not need to name the park after the person associated with atrocious acts."
  • B Jones | Non-racist citizen | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park." 
  • Deanielle Jones |  2019 Candidate for Memphis City Council District 9 Position 2 | TN 
    "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. Would you want to live on a street or frequent an area that's named after racists, tyrants, and murders? No, you would not. Change the name, expeditiously."
  • Terry Jones | Foundational Black American, American Decendant of Slavery, Concerned Citizen | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. He has a history of being a terrorist and and so do many of his so called followers who are inspired by this monster. His deeds were evil and he lost in a war where his side gained compensation afterwards. There's no place for him and his name in any historical state or federal building in America. Let God continue punishing him as he roasts in Hell where he belongs!"
  • ​David Jordan | Citizen who grew up 20 mi. from the park | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. Change it to Pilot Knob. That’s what everyone has called it as long as I can remember. I grew up 20 miles from there in the 60’s and 70’s. "
  • David Jordan | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • David Jordan | Retired business executive | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. I grew up 20 miles from NBF State Park. I never heard anyone refer to it by any other name than Pilot Knob. Not once. That’s what it should be."
  • Bernice Katzman | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. Park. The KKK was a shameful part of US history and the grand wizard of the organization should not be memorized in this way. This is contrary to American ideals."
  • Tom Keagle | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Brian Kelsey | TNGA Senator D31 | TN | "Open-minded"
  • Topher Kersting | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Heather Killeen | Concerned Tennessean who believes racism has no place in our state and country | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Kim | 10th generation Tennessean | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. My family settled in Benton County over 200 years ago and many still reside there. This park was an important part of my childhood. I was told NBF was a hero to be honored. Today, I know better. Please disassociate the good people of TN from this man and everything he represents."
  • Auston Kim | Concerned citizen attending University of Tennessee | FL | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Jorby D Kimble | concerned citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Mayce Kirkland | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park.
  • Kristal Knight | Concerned Citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Annalise Knostman | Concerned citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Lauryi Knowles | Registered Nurse, Frequent Camper | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Kathryn Koehler | Concerned TN resident | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. We need to rid our state of these paeans to racists/racism."
  • Faith Kwentua | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Sara Kyle | TNGA Senator D30 | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Hilli L | Citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • London Lamar | TNGA House Rep - Dist 91 | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Melissa Lamb | Concerned citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Drew Lancaster | Happy person, angry voter | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Jennifer Larrabee | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Dana Lawhon | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Carver Lee | Educator | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Karyn Leggett | Citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Sean LePard | Concerned Citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Carla Lewis | Person that believes we shouldn't glorify evil | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Tracy Little | Concerned citizen | VA | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. The name of this park immediately puts me off from visiting. Any mention of his name in any capacity as a landmark, street, etc, should be changed."
  • Emily Locke | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Lodi | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Bailey Long | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Lynette Long | Educator | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. Please rename NBF park after a TN civil rights leader instead."
  • Harold M. Love, Jr. | TNGA House Rep - Dist 58 | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Kelly Luce | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Lisa Lundstrom | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Montagne McDonald | Pastor, King Solomon MB Church, Nashville | TN | ​"Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • James Mackler | 2020 Candidate for US Senator from Tennessee + Husband, father, man of faith, and military officer | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Kristi Maisha | Concerned Citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Cori MacNaughton | Concerned Citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. Disgusted citizen, resident of Tennessee, property owner, and increasingly disgusted at the actions of the majority in our despicable state government. Looking forward to voting out our morally and ethically challenged and corrupt senator @MarshaBlackburn, along with the rest of the RWNJ members of our state government, including the despicable Gov. Bill Lee. l, and EVERYONE still supporting the traitorous twice-impeached wannabe dictator #traitortrump. Please change the name of this state park to honor someone OF ACTUAL MERIT."
  • Dan Mann | Concerned Citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Aaron Marble | Pastor, Jefferson Street Missionary Baptist Church Nashville | TN | ​"Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Ann Marthedal | nazi puncher | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Lydia Martinez | Park Ranger | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Franklin Mason | Teacher, hiker, citizen with deep roots in Tennessee | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. My family has resided in Tennessee for many generations, one side in Belfast and the other in Beech Grove. I love the state, but I do not love all aspects of its history. Yes, Forrest is part of our history, and he will always be remembered. But to name a park after a man is to honor that man, not just remember him. And Forrest should not be honored."
  • David Mathis | concerned citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Leah Mattix | Concerned citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Kathleen Mavournin, Ph.D. | retired from NORL | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Kimberly Mayfield | Native Nashvillian | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. My whole family lives in Tennessee."
  • ​Holly McCall | Chair, Emerge Tennessee | TN | ​"Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Laura McCall | Concerned citizen and lifelong Tennesean | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • ​Meghan McCarthy | Citizen | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Alicia McCauley | Citizen and fighter of racism | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Brenda Mcclellan | Concerned citizen |  TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. Disgracecul to honor a man who's cause was the oppression of other American citizens."
  • Eve McCowen | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Montagne McDonald | Pastor, King Solomon MB Church, Nashville | TN | ​"Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Shanan Mckenzie | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Ward McMillan | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."

  • Bob Mendes |  Nashville Metro Council, At-Large Member | TN | ​"Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • R. Merin | Citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. On our move to Nashville from Little Rock, AR, we discovered this beautiful park. Stopped for a leg stretch with our two young children. Not familiar with the name, we left immediately in disbelief after reading information of who he was. Terrified of what may be our new future. Leaving one state where the Confederacy is honored to another. Beyond time to stop this terrible idiotic belief and reminders of White Supremacy."
  • Larry Miller | TNGA House Rep - Dist 88 | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Chanteria Milner | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Chase Milner | avid Civil War buff & past NC/VA battlefield preservationist & land steward | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. N.B. Forrest's time has come & gone. It is time for a more inclusive, more geographically accurate place name to be used at many of the thousands of confederate named parks in this country. Pilot Knob State Park sounds great to me! "
  • Mariza Milazzo | Assistant Professor | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Bo Mitchell | TNGA House Rep - Dist 50 | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • ​Ann Molison | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Andrew Molloy | Camper | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Ashley Moore | Woman who just moved back to Tennessee and CAN NOT BELIEVE this dude’s name is still on things  | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Justice Moore | Concerned citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • ​Carmen Morales | Concerned Citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Kelly Morgan | Voter & Tennessee college student | NC | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • She's Morgan | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Graham Mote | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Ella N | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Bubby Nagarajan | Concerned citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Darlene Leong Neal | Women’s March Tennessee - Power Together, Organizational Co-Founder & TN State Coordinator and 
    TN Anti Racist Network, Co-Founder and Community Organizer | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Sally Nickele | Citizen and mother of 3 | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Allyson Neal | Mental Health Professional | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • John Noss | Citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Jon Owen | Born in Paris, TN; grew up in Benton & Humphreys Counties. Much of my family lives there. | UT | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."​
  • Ben Owenby | TN  | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Philip Page | Citizen & Vanderbilt graduate | VA | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."​
  • Sean Parker |  Nashville Metro Council, Dist 5 Member Elect | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Antonio Parkinson |  TNGA House Rep HD98 | TN | ​​​"Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Whitney Pastorek | No One of Consequence | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
    "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Francis S Patrick | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Drew Pauley | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Amberle Phillips | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Marjorie Pomeroy-Wallace | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Jason Potts |  TNGA House Rep HD59 | TN | ​​​​"Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Constance Powell | Concerned citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Jason Powell | TNGA House Rep - Dist 53 | TN | ​"Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Ruby M. Powell - Dennis | 2020 Candidate for TNGA House Rep HD97 | TN | ​"Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • ​​​"Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Randy Price | 2018 Candidate for the TNGA  Senate - Dist 11 | TN | ​"Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Joey Prosser | Concerned Citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Diana Puglio | Citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Angus Purdy | concerned citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Maysaa Rahman | Concerned Citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Gina Rawdon | Voter | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Melissa Reed | Concerned citizen | KY (Frequent TN visitor & TN tourism enthusiast) | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Oliver Reid | Concerned citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Adam Remsen | Concerned Citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Local Resident | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Bryson Reynolds | Concerned Tennessean | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Jesse Rhew | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Ricardo | Concerned Citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Andrew Richardson | Lifelong Tennessean | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Daniel Richter | Concerned Citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Andrew Richardson | Lifelong Tennessean | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Chad Riden | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Darick Ritter | Concerned Citizen | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • ​Steven Roberts | Concerned Citizen | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Valerie Roberts | Concerned citizen | ​TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Robin | Concerned citizen | ​TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Katrina Robinson | TNGA Senator - Dist 33 | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Kathryn Rogers | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. What are we teaching our children? He belongs in history books not a place of honor." 
  • Wayne Rogers | concerned citizen, angry hayseed | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park." 
  • Carl Rosin | Teacher | ​PA (with relatives in TN)  | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Chris Rowe | 2020 Candidate for US Representative in Congress from Tennessee District 1 | TN | ​"Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. Much like the bust in the state capitol, we don't need to have such honors for "heroes" whose biggest accomplishments are hatred and racism."
  • Tee Rowe | Tennessee Resident and Concerned citizen | Outdoor Enthusiast | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. I am ashamed that Tennessee still honors such an evil person not only by naming a state forest after him but also keeping a bust of him in the capitol building. Please rename the state park after someone deserving that honor. As a child I was proud to say I was from Tennessee. Maybe one day I can say that again."
  • Ryker | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Jacqueline Sadlo | Tennessee Citizen (also hiker, kayaker) | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. This state park was named after a KKK leader and Confederate slavery supporter at a time when it was a TN felony for interracial couples to marry, TN schools were segregated by law, and Tennessee had a higher rate of lynchings than many other states. The idea for the park was conceived at a 1907 reunion of Confederate soldiers and was paid for by admirers of this KKK grand wizard leader. It is gut-wrenching in this day and age to hear and see a KKK leader honored so much by a state that it's still embedded into a state park name that glares at out-of-state travelers on an interstate sign. Promoting and idolizing racism is not the way to preserve history. Have we learned nothing from history? Does TN still honor the KKK? Are we glorifying our racist past? What does a KKK leader's name for a STATE PARK say to children and families? Don't stay in Tennessee? Avoid this park? Will white supremacists will be hiding behind the trees and on the trails? Is it safe to hike? Why are Black tax dollars supporting the KKK? How does this "promote stronger communities" and encourage "healthier citizens"? The name discourages activity and is mentally unhealthy. To truly represent history, we must put Nathan Bedford Forrest, slave worshipers, and the KKK where they belong, in the past in a museum. Not honored. We must recognize the damage he has done. His name makes this park the anti-thesis of TN State Park missions and values. Has Black history been explored and revisited with equal passion? Was equal time, money, and representation given to the Black history associated with this time, place and park? What about Native American history? Eva's history? River life is the park's real story, not KKK leader Nathan. Nathan is a chapter, not the book. Nathan is a museum display, not the park. If this park rose up from a work recovery program, honor the history of nature, working people, and river life in the park name, not the tearing down of people. Honor the spirit of overcoming in the park name. Honor the perseverance of people and nature in the name. Honor the history of the water in the name. Name the park TenKen or something after Kentucky Lake and Tennessee River. Honor Pilot Knob in the name. Honor the ancient archeological discoveries in the name. Stop honoring the KKK. The water changes rocks with flow, and after fire forests regrow. It is time for the Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park to be renamed so the park can be true to its values and missions. Rivers change life. You can change a sign. State parks are a place for peace and a place for all people. Lead the way and change the name of Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Alexandra Sagar | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Jai Sanders | Native Tennessean, State Park Patron | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Tami Sawyer | ShelbyCo Commissioner & 2019 Candidate for Mayor of Memphis | TN | ​"Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. Make it happen! I shouldn’t have to drive through TN and see “welcome to Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park.” What do you do in that park? Burn crosses? #takeemdown901"
  • Taylor Schaedle | Camper | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Abby Schultz | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Rebecca Schwartz | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. This is ridiculous and gross."
  • Patsy Shaffer | Concerned Citizen, RN | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • ​Douglas Shaughnessy | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Terry Shelton | avid camper and hiker | Formerly TN; now FL | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Johnny Shaw |  TNGA House Rep HD80 | TN ​"Open-minded"
  • Linda Sharp | Proud Tennessee resident who is deeply ashamed of NBF State Park honoring a racist | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • ​David Silkenat | Civil War Historian | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Aliyah Simmons | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Lee Simmons | Concerned citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Ms. Seema Singh | City of Knoxville Council member, Third District | TN | ​​"Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park.”
  • Julie Slack | CONCERNED CITIZEN | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Barbara Smith | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • ​Maggie Smith | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Rachel Smith | Concerned citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Robin Smith | TNGA House Rep - Dist 26 | TN | Passing proposal to Gov Bill Lee's administration.
  • Jennifer Spirko | Proud Tennesee native | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Emily St. Amant | LPC-MHSP | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Stacey St. Pierre | Concerned citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. I'm a minimum of an 8th gen Tennessean. It's time to stop supporting the traitors to the United States."
  • Katie Stark | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • ​Randal J. Stephens | Historian | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Virginia Stephens | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • ​Mike Stewart |  TNGA House Rep HD52 | TN | ​​​"Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Imani Stingley | Concerned Citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • ​James Stocks | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Jeremy Strayer | Professor, Department of Mathematical Sciences, Middle Tennessee State University | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Kristina Strong | Concerned citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. Kingsport TN here. Nathan Bedford Forrest was the 1st kkk grand wizard, slave owner/trader, traitor to the USA. He seemed to have regretted it in the end and wouldn't even admit to the kkk stuff and yet here we are having to explain why we don't want a statue of a racist traitor. The only ones that want to keep it those that ADMIRE Forrest and his "accomplishments" aka racists."
  • ​Lisa Styles | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Marshall David Sutton | Concerned Citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. Even at best, Forrest's legacy is muddy. He's not someone worthy of honor. Our state has many better candidates."
  • Patty Swain | Concerned Citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Noelle Sweeney | Concerned college student in Nashville | NY | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Kaitlyn Swisher | Concerned citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Damien Talley | 2019 Candidate for TNGA House Rep - Dist 49 | TN | ​"Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Gerald Taylor | Concerned Citizen | AR / Black Memphis Native (Lived 3 blocks from NBF park across the street from his former residence.) | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Brandon Thomas | 2020 Candidate for TNGA House Rep HD49 | TN | ​"Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • W. James Thomas | Senior Pastor, Calvary Baptist Church, Dover | DE | ​"Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Dawn Thomasson | Concerned Citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Dwayne Thompson |  TNGA House Rep HD96 | TN | "Open-minded"
  • Rene Tremblay | Camper | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. I will not ever visit this park as long as it's a KKK Memorial in name!"
  • Beth Trestrail | MI (daughter of the South) |  "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. It is criminal to have forests, monuments, or other state owned areas named for traitors to our country. Please rename them for true patriots from Tennessee instead."
  • Derek Trinque | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Shannon Tolar | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. I vacation in Tennessee; or at least I used to."
  • Katherine Tower | Concerned Citizen, avid hiker, will not hike here until the name changes | TN |  "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. Nathan Bedford Forrest was a violent slave owner and KuKluxKlan Grand Dragon. As much as I love and support our state parks in Tennessee, I will NEVER visit this park until it is renamed, and will continue to support every petition I can find to have this park renamed, preferably after any one of the many AMAZING, admirable people of minority who have contributed significantly to our country, and yet because of the color of their skin, their gender, or other qualities, their contributions are generally ignored. And meanwhile this man is honored. It’s sick and wrong."
  • Kristin Tubb | Concerned Citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. I understand that the Civil War was led by a group of persons who were treasonous to the United States of America and it’s long past time to stop glorifying their awfulness (plus and more importantly its hurtful to ALL races to do so). Seriously it’s very awful to keep celebrating this treasonous racist."
  • Charlotte Turner | Concerned citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. I do not want our state parks named after slave owners. I do not care about his change of ​heart at the end of his life. He destroyed the lives of hundreds of human beings. He deserves no honor. His salvation is not up to the people of Tennessee. Let us not lift up the memory of men who worked to enslave others."
  • Fred Tymeson | Retired Firefighter | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Lynn Underwood | Tennessee History Fan | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Shani V. | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."ng | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Alex Valencia | Concerned citizen of Tennessee | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • ​Tanaka Vercher |  Nashville Metro Council Member Dist 28 | ​"Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Benjamin Wachter | Concerned citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Tiffany Wade | Concerned citizen  | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. It is past time we stop honoring a man with such a deplorable past. There are so many more Tennesseans that deserve this recognition."
  • Dawn Waddell | Tennessee born adn raised citizen  | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Charles Wang | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • ​Charlotte Watkins | OH (born & raised in TN) | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park!"
  • ​John Watterberg | Reverend | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Wendy Webb | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Dr. Stanley Weiss | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • David Weldon | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Kannon West | Student | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • James Wheeler | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Frances White | Concerned Citizen | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. I resided in TN in the mid-1970s. Attended Hillwood High School in Nashville. I'm genuinely surprised people are still talking about this. Change it already."
  • Hunter Willbanks | Concerned Citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Charles Williams | Nashville Native/Hip Hop Artist | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Darcus Williams | FOR MY ANCESTORS | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Dawn Williams | Concerned citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Bradley Wilson | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Bradly Wilson | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Darryl Wilson | Concerned Citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. I was born and still live in Nashville. I attended Memphis State (class of 89)."
  • Haylee Wilson | Concerned Citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Ben Wincelberg | Citizen & Student (attending school in TN) | FL | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Lara Winner | hiker and trail maintainer/litter remover | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • ​James Winston | Retired Knoxville police officier | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Brooks Wolfe | Tennessee Citizen | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Madison Woods | Concerned Vanderbilt Student​ | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Jeff Yarbro | TNGA Senator D21 | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • ​Zach Young | Nashville Metro Councilman Elect (Dist 10) & Goodlettsville City Commissioner​ | ​"Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park.”
  • Kathrine Zealy | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. I support Beto O'Rourke and my congressman Rep John Rose is an embarrassment to American Values. He supports Racism & that is why he was elected. You can tell him I said so. #Beto2020 #BetoForAmerica"
  • AS | TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."​​
More Supporters
  • Zackary Aaron  | NY | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Valerie Acevedo | Concerned Citizen  | NY | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Jeff Acker | Former resident of TN, now in NM - Grew up in the South | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. That this place was ever named for a white supremacist terrorist is shameful and disgusting. Change the name to honor one of the state's civil rights heroes instead. "
  • ​​Ruth Almen | Concerned Citizen, Decent Human Being, Advocate for Mother Nature | NV (Yooper at Heart) | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Alvaro  | MA | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Amie Abenth | Concerned citizen | MN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. White supremacists don't deserve recognition like this."
  • Amy | Concerned Citizen | FL | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. Please consider Alexandre Dumas State Park"
  • Ann | Concerned Citizen | IN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Megan Alvarado | CA | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • ​​Blair Archer | Concerned Citizen, Politician | OR | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. Please change the name to reflect the area or for someone who represents the good in humankind. Thank you."
  • ​Tiffany Ayraud | Concerned citizen | CO | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Val Ba | Concerned citizen | KS | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Sherri Bearden | Third Great Granddaughter of a Union soldier from Tennessee | AR | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • C. A. Bello | Concerned Citizen, Tourist | CA (former TN resident, still visits TN with family & friends)​ | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Frances Belton | Concerned Citizen | MI | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Elizabeth Bentley | MO | MI | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Sam Bethun | Retired US Navy | VA | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. Native of Arkansas. Spent some time with the navy in Millington. I have been driving past this atrocity most of my life. Absolutely shameful!"
  • Pam Bittner | CO | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Jill Bjorklund | MN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Sam Bledsoe | Former Resident | VT | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Raomej Boatti | Outraged citizen  | NY | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Dan Bostick | Educator | VA | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."'
  • Stern Bramson | Captain | KY, FL, AL | "I support renaming this park. These are honors which should be given with thought and for meritorious service. Establishing and perpetuating hate through murder, intimidation, and criminal acts is not American or Tennessee values. There are many true heros that could be memorialized."
  • Edward Branley | Historian | LA | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Ann Brauch | CO | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • ​Scott Britton | American traveler | MI | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. I love to travel, and especially enjoy nature. Please let America undertake the challenge of renaming those places inappropriately named after people who encouraged racial separation/division."
  • Stephen Brodsky | Concerned American Citizen | NY | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. Driving home from Memphis in 2014. My wife and I could not believe that the people of Tennessee would wish to keep honoring a founder of the KKK in a public park, using public funds. This has nothing to do with honor and everything to do with human decency."
  • Billy Brooksher | Concerned citizen, high school teacher, BA in History | GA | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Zoe Brown | MI | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Laurie Bryant | Concerned native Tennessean | CO | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. I lived in Memphis for 40 years and have land in MS. I protested for the removal of the Nathan Bedford statue in Memphis. No monuments/parks for a domestic terrorist like Mr. Forrest."
  • ​Heather Burdick | FL | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Logan Burley | MI | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Mary E Butler | NY | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Adair Calder | MI | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Don Calder | MI | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Jim Calder | MI | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Marla Caldwell | State Park visitor, but not there! | GA | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Candice | LA | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Jason Cannon | Appalled citizen | TX | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. I was STUNNED on a recent trip by the name of this park. Absolutely disgusting. I will not be spending my money in tennessee until his name is removed from this park and his bust is removed from the Capitol and anything else honoring this HORRIBLE person."
  • Carol Carr | Concerned citizen, hiker, backpacker and traveler | MI | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Betsy Cavendish  | Tourist, American Studies major  | The 51st state, Washington, DC | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Theresa Clancy | MI native with family ties to the lovely state of TN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Anna Clark | concerned citizen and camper, historian of slavery | MI | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. As a historian of slavery and an advocate for remembering enslaved people's struggle, bravery, and resiliency, I am appalled by any public area/landmark that celebrates or remembers slaveholders, KKK members, and all around racists. It's important to remember that this park wasn't named during the Civil War or when slavery was still legal. It was not Confederates honoring those who died. This is straight up racism and should not and can not be tolerated. Please change the name of this lovely park."
  • Clif Clark | Camper | MI | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. Wow. I LOVE Tennessee! But I was amazed, really, that a state would name a park after such a person. You must have others you could honor."
  • Terry Clark | Concerned Citizen | CO | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Tiffany Clausen | Concerned citizen | KY | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. No one wants these racist elements in our modern society."
  • ​​Judith Clough | A concerned citizen | CO | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • ​Jan Cloutier | Very concerned citizen | MI | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Rachel Coleman | Concerned Citizen | FL | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Will Coney | Concerned Student  | TX | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Emily Collins | Concerned citizen  | CT | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Donna Compton | TX | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Seth Cotlar | History Professor | OR | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Shurei Coveney | Reverend | KY/MA | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Bob Cromwell | IN (which has it's own Klan infestation​) | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Georgiana Cronin | IL (lived in Franklin, TN for 9 years) | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Ian Cropley | VA | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Michael D. | VA | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Michael Darling | Retired Master Sergeant, United States Army & Junior High Teacher of US History (in League City) | TX | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. I love this country. I have served my country in Iraq and Afghanistan and during peace time as well. I also believe in God and that ALL are created in His image. I do not want to rewrite history. I want us to learn from it. Moving forward as a nation I believe we need to make an effort to correct past mistakes or at least acknowledge them and moving forward…be better. Renaming this park is a small step in that direction. I have wonderful students in my classroom. Some of those students are people of color. I want them to feel comfortable wherever they go in this country, as they should."
  • Ernesto Duque | US citizen - proud defender of our contribution - US Army veteran | CA | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Lizzy Durret | Pediatric nurse that often travels to TN | VA | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Carole Delahunty | Citizen against hatred and racism  | Illinois | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. Illinois "My family recently traveled to Tennessee for a vacation and we were shocked and dismayed by the ostentatious display of racism and white supremacy throughout the state. Renaming this park would be a good start to repudiating that hatred."
  • Evelyn Dudey | Director at Large, environmental non-profit org | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. Honoring a Grand Wizard completely sends the wrong message to park visitors and the general public. Please find someone worthy and respectful to honor instead, and please make this a priority for this year. Thank you!"
  • Scott Kelley Ernest | Former White Nationalist Hate Group Leader / Public Health | MT & FL | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Shanita Farris | Concerned citizen  | NC | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Gordon Ferris II | CO | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. History and names matter. I hope my generation guides bigots to the recesses of museums and literature. I’ll hold the line with you comrades."
  • Greg Fischer | Concerned human | CO USA | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. NBF and his legacy is a blight on the great state of Tennessee, the US and the human race. His name and image should be removed from any place of honor or decency."
  • Mary Fitzgerald | Concerned Citizen | MA | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Marie Forrest, MA Special Education | Teacher of the Deaf | CA | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. I’ve spent time in your great state. Surely TN can find someone more worthy to honor than a KKK Grand Wizard."
  • Shirley A Foster  | Concerned citizen | MD | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Greg Foster | NJ | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Clara Fowler | CONCERNED CITIZEN | GA | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Lori Friedman | MD | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. The south should be humiliated that this exists"
  • Patricia Friehauf | Citizen of the diverse and inclusive United States of America | CO | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Olivia Garcia | Concerned Citizen | MS | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Patricia Garcia | FL | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Affan Ghaffari | Health Services Researcher | NJ | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Julie Gilberg | Concerned Citizen | TX | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Zachary Gilchrest | Concerned citizen | SC turned FL | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Melissa Golden | Concerned citizen & college student | IL | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Brianna Goodison | Concerned citizen | AZ | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Cassandra Goodison | Former TN resident and Registered Nurse | TX | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Hannah Gounaud | VA | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Jim Greuel | Concerned Citizen | CO | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Lisa Griffin | Concerned camper and citizen | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • ​Lisa Gschwandtner | Citizen | CA | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Gimena Guillen | Student | FL | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Andrew Gustafson | Friend of Tennessee | NY | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Patricia Hafford | CO | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Scott Haile | African American father | CA | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • ​​Lisa Marie Hale | Concerned Citizen | IN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. There is no room for this type of hatred. And the KKK is nothing to be proud about."
  • Kelly Hall | Concerned American | CO | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. Times change and standards change. It doesn't seem we should be honoring KKK members anymore."
  • Jenny Hansom | Concerned citizen | IL (Previously TN) | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. I moved to Illinois from Tennessee less than three years ago after 32 years spent in Memphis. I firmly believe that Tennessee’s state parks are extremely special and one of the most wonderful things about the state. Public lands should be welcoming to all, and keeping a beautiful state park named after someone who represents some of Tennessee’s most shameful history is not living up to that standard."
  • ​Maria Harman | Outraged citizen | IL (lived in TN for many years) | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Casey Harris-Standridge | Avid outdoorsman and advocate for human rights. | IL | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. Honoring a figure responsible for preventing equality from taking hold in the United States discredits America as a whole. I love my fellow citizens of the world and believe the United States is supposed to be a safe haven for everyone. Having a state park dedicated to a racist and a failed seditious figure is counter to all things American and decent."
  • Mark Haselmaier | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • ​Jim Haselmaier | Concerned Citizen | CO | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. Please change the name! Honor someone that we all should strive to be more like."
  • ​Kathy Haselmaier | Concerned Citizen | CO | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. The name for this park sends a confusing, if not scary, message to potential visitors. I am not comfortable supporting this park in any way given the current name."
  • ​Elijah Haswell | Concerned Citizen | MI | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Melissa Hayes | American Citizen | NC | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Susie Healy | Concerned Citizen | VA | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Jonathan Hecht | Concerned citizen | NY | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Kathleen Helbling | OH | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. We drive through Tennessee each spring on our way home from Arizona for the winter. I am astounded that you would name a park for this man in this age."
  • ​Helen  | Tourist | Greencard holder, resident of SC | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Malia Heydenreich | Traveler | NE | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. Never in my 20 years of living have I EVER experienced racism until I stopped in Tennessee on my way to Georgia ... it's still alive and well and it’s absolutely disgusting."
  • ​Margaret Hilton | concerned citizen | MD | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Karla Hinton | Concerned citizen | OK | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. It is time to move forward from the brutality of the KKK. Do the right thing and rename the park."
  • Michael Hirsch | Concerned American | MD | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. This is not acceptable in a nation built on freedom and equality."
  • Lacey Homan | Concerned citizen | FL | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Ceora J P Hull | MI | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Emili Jack | Concerned citizen  | District of Columbia  | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  •  James  | UNITED STATES OF AMERICA  | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. A State Park is no place to honor a racist. PERIOD."
  • ​Anais Johnson | Concerned citizen and Dolly Parton fan | SC | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Felicia Johnson | Concerned citizen  | FL (Family from Nashville. Family reunions held in TN) | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • ​Steve Johnson | Pastor | VA | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Jeanette Jarman | CO | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Jeneil | UT | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. That name has no business being on a plaque.... Get it off! Do Not Honor Him!! WE do not stand for Hate, Racism & White Supremacy."
  • Whitney Jones | FL | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Kai | IL | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Samantha Kay | Citizen | MI | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Sue Kensington | Concerned Citizen | MI | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Michael B. Kalstein | CO | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. I find this abhorrent, I would like to know how they have gotten away with this for so long. I admit it is almost 50 years. People are apparently not familiar with the park or the name. I recommend adding the associated KKK information to the brochure."
  • ​Michael Kemp | American | TX | "But above all, American! NO state should allow such racism in 2019! Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Kim32357924 | MI | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Catherine Kiselica | Concerned Citizen & Anti-Racist | TX | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Eric Koszyk | Small Business Owner | OR | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. Why is this even a question? The guy was a traitor and the first grand dragon of the KKK. He was also responsible for a massacre of United States' troops at Fort Pillow. It dishonors the United States military to have anything named after him."
  • Matthew Lafond-Favieres | SC | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Kate Laraway | concerned citizen | AL | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Kate Clifford Larson | Historian of American Slavery, Abolition, Civil War, Civil Rights | MA | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. Nathan Bedford Forrest was a white supreacist, traitor, a man who dishonored his service by murdering his war captives. Founding member of the KKK, a hate group. What is the matter with you, Tennessee? Dismantel all memorials to this vile man."
  • ​​Lisa | Teacher | CA | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."sa | Teacher | CA | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Paul Lo | CA | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Melissa Luttrell | Concerned citizen, camper, hiker | MI | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. I recently camped and hiked in this beautiful state park and was horrified to learn of Bedford’s hateful, traitorous and murderous legacy. I sincerely hope the parks department and Tennessee legislature will rename the park in honor of someone for whom we can all be proud."
  • ​​​Nicole Lackey | Concerned citizen | MI | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Dominique Landis | Prospective visitor, will not visit if named after a terrorist | CA | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Mike Laux | Concerned citizen, Civil rights lawyer | AR | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • GlenEllen Lehmberg | MI | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Diane Lehnen | MI | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Catherine Lewers | ID | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • ​​Daniel Luttrell | Hiker, Nurse, Outdoor Enthusiast | VT | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Carolyn Marie | Concerned citizen | NY | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. My brother just moved to TN and was startled to see the name there and the statue in the State Capitol. Let Tennessee move forward with the rest of the country and consign this man's name to the history books only."
  • Jacob Matriccino | Student | VA | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Zachary McAuliffe | OH | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Kelsey McCarston | MN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • ​​Sally Menapace | MI | Concerned citizen | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Lily Medina | Educator | NY | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Guy Mendt | Concerned Citizen | CO | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Barbara Metting | MI | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Roma Meyskens | MI | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Glenda McCall | Concerned citizen | CO | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Andrew McKennan | CO | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Mary McVay | Concerned citizen | IL | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. All one country, let’s eliminate racism and symbols of racism everywhere. I'm the mother of a musician in Nashville who depends on tourism for his livelihood, and who is also an avid supporter of state and national parks."
  • Vivian Moe | Concerned citizen | WA | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Clarence Montiero | Concerned Citizen | VA | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Chuck Morse | CO | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Angela Martinez  | Concerned citizen | TX | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Jeanne Masters  | Concerned citizen | WA | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • ​Michael Mason | NE  | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Douglass McClellan | DE | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Charity McCrae | PA | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. This is an embarrassment to all people!! His name shouldn't be on anything!!!"
  • Leslie McManus | OH | "A proud Southerner. Not proud, however, of a state park being named after a leader of the KKK. Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Dr. Alison Meek | Associate Professor of History | Ontario, Canada | ​"Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park." 
  • Dana Miller | Visitor | TX | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. Tennessee is so wonderful. Don’t continue to honor hate in this way. You shouldn’t honor this hateful man in any way. Not with one of your beautiful forests or a bust at the legislative home of your residents."
  • ​Laura Mims | PA  | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • ​Hanae Mori | Concerned citizen | Illinois  | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Mark Morrison | Retired Federal employee | TX  | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Elizabeth Murray | NY | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Odeana Neal | American citizen | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. While driving through Tennessee, I passed a sign for the park. At first, I thought I must be misremembering who Nathan Bedford Forrest was because I was sure that there would not be a state park named for a Ku Klux Klan leader and certainly not in 2022. The citizens of Tennessee should be ashamed of honoring such a person with a park named after him."
  • Nicole | SC | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Harry O'Brien | Purdue | GA | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. I hope everyone knows the complete history of this man, and still allow him to be honored?"
  •  Efrem B. Owens Sr | FL | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Andrea Pemberton-Fowler | Granddaughter of a man born in slavery and concerned citizen | VA | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Analisa Perez | Concerned citizen | TX | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Trevor  Peryea | Concerned Citizen | NY | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Donna Petras | Educator | MI | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. As an educator, I ensure that diversity and inclusion are embraced in all facets of my teaching. Nathan Bedford Forrest represents divisiveness, privilege, and inhumanity. It’s a disgrace that the state of Tennessee would recognize him in this way. I suggest Harriet Tubman State Park."
  • Shannon Price | Fellow southerner | AL | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Laura Petrie | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • John Picaro | Concerned citizen | NY | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. Symbols of white supremacists and KKK members allow hatred and bigotry to spread in a divided world."
  • Michelle Plummer | NY | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Susan Bari Price | Concerned citizen  | WA | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Bianca Proctor | Concerned citizen | FL | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Cassandra Quick | Attorney, Black Person | WA | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Jay Rechek | WI | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Melissa J Reed | Frequent Tennessee Visitor | KY | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. It’s shameful that this wasn’t prioritized long ago."
  • Janine Reeves | VT | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • ​​Irene Rideout | MA | ""Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Elizabeth Rosenthal | TX | ""Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Timothy M. Ruppert, P.E. | Concerned citizen | LA | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. I'm from New Orleans, where we took down several monuments to people and ideas that do not deserve to be honored in a public place. I encourage everyone to remove symbols of white supremacy from our public spaces. "
  • Carol Rutan | Concerned citizen | FL | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Joe S | Human being | OR (Family member of TN resident) | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Sabrina | Concerned Citizen | FL | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Debjeet Sarkar | Army Combat Veteran | MD | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Reuben Savage  | Concerned Citizen | PA | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Neil Scott  | Concerned citizen, multiple trip tourist of TN  | CO | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • JoeyLynn Selling | MI | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. Friends of mine visited recently and posted pictures of their adventures. This was a shocking discovery. I'm appalled that people of such demonic caliber are honored in this way."
  • Jayme Shoop | Citizen | NC | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • ​Erin Smith | Concerned citizen | VA | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • K Smith | Appalled citizen | GA | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. I live 25 miles from the TN border. I’m so tired of the South always being the slowest to progress. This is a no brainer."
  • Catherine Sneed | Concerned American | Connecticut  | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • ​Christy Schakel | CA | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Maria Scott | OH | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Jake Sharpe | VA | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Pam Shewchuck | MI | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Marc Shoemaker | WV | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. Earned my bachelor's in Tennessee and like to return as much as possible. This sort of thing makes me think twice, though."
  • Manisha Sinha | Draper Chair in American History, University of Connecticut | CT | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park." ​
  • South Florida People of Color | Racial Healing Organization | FL | ​"Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Eric Spillman | Concerned Citizen | AL | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • ​Dorothy Spivak | CO | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Kelsey Sprowell | Concerned citizen | IA | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Gemtria St Clair | Concerned citizen | NM  | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Laura Stebbins | IA | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Nancy Steffens | Concerned citizen | CO | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Rick Steffens | CO | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Lori Stephens-Brown | Concerned citizen | MI | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Bee Stewart | Historian of Slavery, Civil War, and Reconstruction in Tennessee | Univ of Exeter (UK) | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Joseph Stimac | MN | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Mollie Stratton | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. Rename the park ASAP!!"
  • Robert Strummer | Concerned citizen and Federal Law Enforcement Officer | IL | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Sue | FL | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Scott Supak | Small Business owner | NY | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."​
  • Carroll Ann Swanson | MI (born and raised in NC) | Concerned citizen/daughter of the South | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • ​Adriana Synegal  | Concerned citizen  | CA | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • ​Tracy | California | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Melissa Troyer | Concerned & thoroughly HORRIFIED citzen | AZ (grew up in VA, spent a LOT of time & money in TN) | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Andrew Tsikitas | Concerned citizen | NY | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Ingrid Umdasch | HI & NY | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Lynn Venetoulis | Concerned citizen | DE | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • ​Christina Vigil | CA | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Heather Burnham Volesky | Camper and concerned citizen | CO | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Chris Wagner | avid camper and recent retiree | MI | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. I would avoid camping at the Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park just based on the name alone and what it represents. Please consider renaming the park to something that looks towards a future of moving forward in being more inclusive to all Americans instead of honoring some embarrassing individual from the dark past. Thank You."
  • ​Michael Waite | Camper and concerned citizen | MI | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Eric Wall | AR | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Anita Warner | Concerned citizen, Pastor | CA | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. State and federal lands set aside for the enjoyment of all our nation's people should not bear the name of one whose legacy involved terrorizing some of our nation's people. Our history includes millions of Tenneseans who have lifted up their communities, state and nation's people through exemplary service. Few women are honored through state parks bearing their name. Consider digging into state history, and in renaming this park, honoring a woman of Tennessee."
  • ​Jennifer Watson | Concerned citizen | KY | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • William Weaver | Educator | MI | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. I will not visit Tennessee until this long overdue change is made."
  • Terrence Weijnschenk | Human, father, former politician, entertainer, bookkeeper, writer | The Netherlands | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. Used to work with young children and still think we can learn from the past. But not if we ignore it.."
  • Christine Wilhelm | US citizen and traveler | IL | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. As a regular vacationer/traveler, I love and respect the beauty of Tennessee as a state. This is not a draw."
  • J. Williams | PA  | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Katie Wolfe | DE  | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."
  • Kathleen Wright | MI | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."​
  • Adrian Todd Zuniga | Author and concerned citizen | CA | "Please rename Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park."​

Support received from potential visitors who live in the following US geographies:

Alabama - Alaska - Arizona - Arkansas - California - Colorado - Connecticut - Delaware - Florida - Georgia - Hawaii - Idaho - Illinois - Indiana - Iowa - Kansas - Kentucky - Louisiana - Maine - Maryland - Massachusetts - Michigan - Minnesota - Mississippi - Missouri - Montana - Nebraska - Nevada - New Hampshire - New Jersey - New Mexico - New York - North Carolina - North Dakota - Ohio - Oklahoma - Oregon - Pennsylvania - Rhode Island - South Carolina - South Dakota - Tennessee - Texas -Utah - Vermont - Virginia - Washington -  West Virginia  - Wisconsin - Wyoming - American Samoa - Washington DC - Federated States of Micronesia - Guam - Marshall Islands - Northern Mariana Islands - Palau - Puerto Rico - Virgin Islands 
Support received from potential tourists who live outside the US:

Ontario, Canada
​The Netherlands
Exeter, UK
Not everyone wants a change.
View list of people who like the name