ATLANTA — Governor Nathan Deal will meet with civil rights leaders Wednesday to hear concerns related to state-funded memorials dedicated to Confederate leaders.
Dr. Charles Steele, Jr., National President and CEO of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, John Evans and Richard Rose, Presidents of the DeKalb County and Atlanta Branches of the NAACP, will meet with the Governor on Wednesday at 3:00pm in the Governor’s Office.
The two leading and historic civil rights groups are involved in a joint effort to see the Confederate celebrations and symbols removed from Stone Mountain. They are also calling for the termination of all public monies used to sponsor hateful reminders of a cruel and bloody time in United States history.
“Why are governments spending tax dollars to preserve monuments of hate?” asked Dr. Steele. “And more so, why put any reference of Dr. King, one of Georgia’s most favorite sons, anywhere near these three traitors?”
Steele added, “There is absolutely no question that Stone Mountain, even in 2015, continues to be a rallying site for racists.”
He referenced the recent demonstrations by hate organizations at Stone Mountain. “Seems like nothing has changed since the 60’s,” reflected the SCLC national leader.
According to NAACP DeKalb County President John Evans, “The proposal to include Dr. King is simply to confuse Black folk about the issues. It’s an attempt to gain support from Blacks to keep these racist and demeaning symbols.”
Neither the SCLC nor the NAACP have made any public comments regarding the proposed plan to place a monument of King at Stone Mountain, but were surprised by the Governor’s apparent support of the plan without community consultation.
“We look forward to the dialogue with the Governor. We asked for this meeting weeks ago, because we believe that the Governor wants to do what is right for all Georgians. It is time for the Civil War to finally end, and the Confederate States of America to be relegated to history,” said NAACP Atlanta President Richard Rose.
