NASHVILLE, Tenn.--Two Tennessee lawmakers have filed a bill which proposes changing the name of a Nashville road named after a civil rights leader and congressman to be named after former President Donald J. Trump.
Senator Frank Niceley (R-Strawberry Plains-D8) and Representative Paul Sherrell (R-Sparta-D43) are the sponsors of SB1407/HB1372 in the Tennessee General Assembly.
The bill would rename a portion of Rep. John Lewis Way in Nashville to President Donald Trump Boulevard. The change would affect the portion of the road between Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. and James Robertson Parkway.
Rep. John Lewis was a veteran congressman and civil rights leader who participated in the Nashville sit-ins during the civil rights movement.
The bill has drawn some public criticism, including from Nashville councilwoman Zulfat Suara. Suara took to Twitter on Thursday night, stating "OMG. I have to take a deep breath so as not to swear! What have this state become! Do some just wake up and propose the next thing that comes to mind. This is not how to govern. This is ridiculous. We are going to fight this. #GoodTrouble"
A youth rally is scheduled on February 18 at the Metro Courthouse plaza at 3pm to "Save John Lewis Way." There is also a petition with thousands of signatures.