Stone Mountain Action Coalition Calls on Park to Cancel Confederate Memorial Day Attracting Neo-Nazis and White Nationalists and Supports Plans to Counter Protest

DATE: April 26, 2022

MEDIA CONTACT: Gabrielle Rogers, media@stonemountainaction.org

The Stone Mountain Action Coalition calls on the Stone Mountain Memorial Association (SMMA) to cancel the Sons of Confederate Veterans’ (SCV) Confederate Memorial Day event on Saturday, April 30th that will feature a keynote address from Martin O’Toole, SCV’s spokesperson and President and Chairman of the white nationalist group, Charles Martel Society. It also has been reported that multiple self-identified white nationalist and neo-Nazi groups are now encouraging membership and network to attend this event.

Last year SMMA rejected the SCV’s permit for the Confederate Memorial event citing the possibility of, “a clear and present danger to public health or safety.” As Stone Mountain Park CEO Bill Stephens has noted, the Park “does not have adequate resources to protect the event’s participants, employees, and guests.” Several months after last year’s event was canceled, The Guardian reported that a data leak revealed that some SCV members are active participants of violent white supremacy groups, including those involved at the deadly Unite the Right riot in Charlottesville, Virginia. This data revealed that many of their members are active participants of violent white supremacy groups, including those involved at the deadly Unite the Right riot in Charlottesville, Virginia. Stone Mountain Park is no stranger to these white supremacist groups and is well aware of the threat and public safety concerns that they pose. We saw this play out during a white nationalist rally that took place in Stone Mountain Village in August 2020, when the Park rightfully chose to close its gates and called in the Georgia National Guard because of the continued threat of violence to the public and surrounding community. 

The SCV event being held this Saturday, May 30th, will take place inside of Stone Mountain Park, a public park that is supported by Georgia taxpayers. An extra police and military presence could also wind up being billed to taxpayers. While the study and preservation of the Civil War is of grave importance, a shrine to the ideals of the Confederacy with no historical connection to the Civil War is a clear and dangerous threat to our American democracy. Unlike real historical sites, Stone Mountain is not host to a battlefield or historic cemetery, but rather is directly tied to the rebirth of the Ku Klux Klan,the Jim Crow Era, mass resistance, and opposition to the Civil Rights movement.

Allowing this event to take place on the grounds of Stone Mountain Park is yet another example of SMMA’s blatant disrespect to the people of Georgia by prioritizing the glorification of the Confederacy over the safety of  Georgia citizens and their hard-earned tax dollars. Georgians want a park that is free from Lost Cause and Confederate ideology. SMMA’s decisions continue to estrange the Park from the people of Georgia and from potential vendors who are essential to its financial viability. After last year’s net loss of $1.2 million and receiving $700,000 state funding, now more than ever Stone Mountain Park cannot afford to hold this event.

Community groups are planning a peaceful counter protest and march on Saturday, April 30th. Participants will meet at 9 a.m. at 922 Main St, Stone Mountain, GA 30083 before marching into the Park.

About the Stone Mountain Action Coalition

The Stone Mountain Action Coalition is an advocacy network of concerned citizens, political leaders, community organizations, faith-based groups and businesses who are dedicated to supporting constructive solutions and ideas that reflect a new, shared vision for the Stone Mountain Park. The Coalition is advocating for short and long-term changes to help build a path forward by developing a community-driven approach to transform the park into a more inclusive, and economically sustainable destination.

For more information visit: www.stonemountainaction.org