CALL TO ACTION:
Remove ALL Confederate Flags in Stone Mountain Park before Martin Luther King Jr. Day
It sickened us to see such white racism and terror on full display the very same day that Georgia sent a Black pastor who preaches from Dr King’s pulpit and a Jewish son of an immigrant and former intern of John Lewis to Congress.
Many have noted the prominent display of Confederate flags and other hateful symbols during the violent insurrection of the United State's Capital and we cannot wait any longer to address the world's largest Confederate memorial in Georgia’s own backyard. Today, Confederate battle flags fly freely at Stone Mountain Park. Those that utilize the Park’s Walk-up Trail are forced to walk past these flags just steps from “Confederate Hall'' located on Robert E Lee Blvd.
These are the same Confederate flags that the terrorists flew and by the same hate groups that continue to see Stone Mountain Park as a sacred place and use it for demonstrations. Though the events took place hundreds of miles away, there have already been arrests and an unfortunate death of Georgia residents who participated in this domestic terror attack.
As we approach Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, January 18 we remind you that Dr. King intentionally proclaimed "Let freedom ring from Stone Mountain or Georgia” in 1964 as the state had bought in in 1958 to symbolize resistance to the principles King stood for.
On November 16, 2020, the Stone Mountain Memorial Association (SMMA) publicly announced that it was considering making changes WITHIN MONTHS for a “21st century perspective on Stone Mountain Park.” Two months later and there have not been any updates. Enough is enough. The Park can and must act NOW.
We demand the Park remove all Confederate flags before Martin Luther King Jr. Day (1/18/21).
1) Contact Stone Mountain Park leadership, sponsors and stakeholders
Emails (send to everyone in one email): b.stephens@stonemountainpark.org; rsmith@smithliss.com; generalinfo@stonemountainpark.com; shsellman@coca-cola.com; allen.poole@gohs.ga.gov; mark.williams@gadnr.org; mjaronski@georgia.org
Phone Numbers:
Bill Stephens (Park CEO): (770) 498-5611
Ray Stallings Smith III (Park Board Chair): (404) 760-6006
Brian Kemp (Georgia Governor): (404) 656-1776
Sample Message: I am contacting you as a concerned [patron, community member, resident of…, business owner, etc.] to demand that all of the Confederate flags flown in the public’s Stone Mountain Park be removed before Martin Luther King Jr. Day (1/18/21). Visitors should not have to confront such offensive symbols to enjoy a public park. White supremacy and other hate groups continue to fly this flag proudly (as was seen during the violent attack on the United States Capitol) and the United States Military, Walmart and NASCAR have already banned Confederate symbols. You announced on November 16, 2020 that you wanted a “21st century perspective on Stone Mountain Park” and the first step you must take is removing these flags.
2) Contact your state representatives!
Tell them you are requesting their support to demand that Stone Mountain Park remove its Confederate flags before Martin Luther King Jr. Day on January 18, 2021. Visitors should not have to confront such offensive symbols to enjoy a public park. These Confederate symbols have already been banned by the United States Military, Walmart and NASCAR and it is unacceptable that the state-endorsed public park fly these flags. Request that they contact the Park’s leadership to request the flags be removed:
Bill Stephens, Park CEO: b.stephens@stonemountainpark.org, (770) 498-5611
Ray Stallings Smith III, Park Board Chair : rsmith@smithliss.com, (404) 760-6006
3) Share this Call to Action on social media!
Shareable Posts: