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Sen. John F. Kennedy speaks at Jackson Day on Feb. 23, 1957, in Springfield. Pictured with him are U.S. Sen. Stewart Symington, left, J.Howard Hannah, center, and W. Ray Daniel, right, chairman of the Greene County Democratic Party. They were at the Shrine Mosque. News-Leader file photo Senator John F. Kennedy speaks at Jefferson Day on Feb. 23, 1957. Pictured with him are U.S. Senator Stewart Symington, left, J.Howard Hannah, center, and W. Ray Daniel, right, chairman of the Greene County Democratic Party. They were at the Shrine Mosque.(Photo: News-Leader file photo)Buy Photo

Slavery and genocide are reason enough for local Democrats to want to distance themselves from Andrew Jackson.

This year's Jackson Day, an annual gathering of liberals in southwest Missouri, is scheduled for April 7 and 8 at the Oasis Convention Center. But if the Greene County Democrats have their way, 2017's event will be the last to bear the name of the nation's seventh president.

The Democratic organization is asking for suggestionsfor a new name on the grounds that Jackson's "positive accomplishments are overshadowed by the dark side of his legacy."

Namely, Jackson owned slaves, with some estimates placing the number of African-Americans he owned at 150 when he died in 1845.

Jackson also signed the Indian Removal Act in 1830, displacingthousands of Native Americans and prompting the forced march known as the "Trail of Tears."

Genevieve Williams(Photo: News-Leader File Photo)

"Democrats today acknowledge the pain and anger evoked by Jackson's name, a symbol of injustices we are still striving to write," according to the Greene County Democrats' name suggestion form. "While we can't undo the sins and sufferingof the past, we can demonstrate our commitment to all disenfranchised and marginalized people as we now begin a new chapter in our organization's history."

Genevieve Williams, vice chair of the state Democratic party, said Thursday via text she believed Greene County's Jackson Day was the only remaining celebration in Missouri bearing Jackson's name.

The Greene County Jackson Day's scheduled events include speeches from Oscar-nominated actress Tess Harper a northern Arkansas native who attended Southwest Missouri State University and Missouri Democratic Party Chairman Stephen Webber. According to a news release from executive director Skyler Johnston, there will be discussions on topics including diversity, poverty, crime, illegal drugs and education, feminism, gender identity, climate change and jobs.

The event's theme is "Labor of Love: Diverse & United."

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Citing president's record of slavery and genocide, local Democrats to rename 'Jackson Day' - Springfield News-Leader