Stone Mountain Confederate Memorial Sparks Debate In Wake Of Confederate Flag Banning
For the past couple weeks, there has been a nationwide debate about the Confederacy and what it symbolizes. Although many people admire the Confederate flag as a part of history that represents valor, nobility, and honor, others see it as a symbol of racism and hatred.
Because of the latter, the laws that allow rebel flags to fly are also being questioned. Now, many of the country’s top retailers, including Walmart, Target, eBay and Amazon, have banned the flag and refuse to sell paraphernalia with the Confederate flag design. The prohibition debate over the controversial battle flag has now sparked arguments about the Confederate memorial at Stone Mountain.
According to 11Alive, a state representative recently asked for Georgia residents to boycott Stone Mountain over the fourth of July weekend due to the law that allows for the presence of the Confederate flag. It has been reported that the Stone Mountain Theme Park is home to one of the biggest firework and laser-light shows in the state, which is why the park has come under fire for memorializing the Confederacy. State Rep. LaDawn Jones has also been very vocal about her opinion of the flag’s presence at the theme park.
JUST IN: Stone Mountain Park is at capacity. No other guests will be allowed in. RT to share. http://t.co/jNITC6e0xd pic.twitter.com/hsn1x6zqHj
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) July 4, 2015
“At a state-owned and state-run park that operates under Georgia code, we need something that represents all of us,” Jones told 11Alive. “Where you are flying a flag next to the United States flag, that indicates to people that this is more than a memorial, this is credence to a time that has long gone.”
According to Opposing Views, Stone Mountain Memorial Association CEO Bill Stephens argues a different perspective. Since the flag, which was donated by the United Daughters of the Confederacy in 1964, is part of a museum and are protected by state law, having them removed will not be an easy feat.
“Stone Mountain is preserved by state law as a Confederate memorial. The law that changed the flag to our current state flag also expressly prohibits changes at Stone Mountain Park. Some on both sides of these issues have said that these Confederate symbols belong in a museum. Here in Georgia, Stone Mountain Park serves that purpose.”
Apparently, the boycott effort did not turn out as expected, reports Yahoo News!. It has been reported that Stone Mountain Park reached its capacity on Saturday, July 4 due to the overwhelming number of guests who came out to see the fireworks. Park officials have stated that a second fireworks show will take place on July 5.
[Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images]
