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Black Caucus Tables Vote On Ending King-Lee Day In Arkansas

Black lawmakers are holding off on saying whether they support an effort this year to end Arkansas' practice of honoring civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. and Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee on the same day.

The Arkansas Legislative Black Caucus on Tuesday tabled a vote on ending the dual holiday. Gov. Asa Hutchinson is considering putting the proposal on the agenda for a special session later this spring. Members of the caucus said they want to see the proposed legislation in writing before taking a stance.

Arkansas is one of three states to jointly celebrate the black civil rights icon and the white Confederate general on the third Monday in January, and a proposal to end that practice failed repeatedly before a House committee last year.

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