LOUISVILLE (WHAS11) -- The organization Stand Up Louisville plans to protest Monday's Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade after Commonwealth's Attorney Tom Wine was appointed as a grand marshal for the parade by longtime civil rights leader George Burney.
Burney, president of People's Rights in Demanding Equality, or P.R.I.D.E. Inc., has been scolded for his decision by those with Stand Up Louisville for inviting Winse as a grand marshal after he recently asked the Kentucky Supreme Court to remove judge Olu Stevens from all criminal cases.
Wine is one of five total grand marshals in the parade.
"To have Tom Wine be the grand marshal of a Martin Luther King parade is a direct insult to the legacy of Martin Luther King, the legacy of West Louisville and just the hearts of the people," Chanelle Helm of Stand Up Louisville said.
"Tom Wine has purposely attacked Olu," Helm added.
The controversial invitation comes two days after Stevens was pulled from a criminal case by the state's chief justice.
During an interview with WHAS11's Shane Simmons, Wine said people have criticized him based on "misinterpretation of a legal process," saying he's been longtime friends with Burney and has helped with P.R.I.D.E.'s annual Christmas toy drive.
He said Burney, who's been a longtime civil rights activist in the community, is being wrongfully attacked for his decision.
"I think it is unfair that a man like George Burney, who has devoted his career for the last 60 years or so here in Jefferson County in ensuring fairness, that he is the one now being attacked as well," Wine said.
Wine said he fully intends on being at the parade on Monday.
Jaison Gardner, a member of Stand Up Louisville, said Wine should decline the invitation.
"I think if Tom Wine is truly about professionalism, he would excuse himself from this parade and say thank you but no thank you, it's inappropriate, it's untimely," Gardner said.
