Amid talk of change, Stone Mountain Park allows Confederate commemoration to resume

The Sons of Confederate Veterans are set to gather Saturday morning at Stone Mountain State Park in observance of Confederate Memorial Day.

It comes a year after park leaders denied the group’s permit, citing safety concerns, including the potential spread of COVID-19.

Park executives signed off on this year’s gathering, saying they had received no warnings of potential violence.

“As we continue to move back towards a new normal, we will begin to receive more requests for gatherings from all quarters,” wrote Stone Mountain Park CEO Bill Stephens in a statement. “And unless law enforcement intelligence issues us a warning of potential violence or a ‘clear and present danger,’ then we will err towards maintaining an open and welcoming environment.”

The permit allows for a gathering of no more than 200 people from 8:30 until 1 p.m. Saturday on the Memorial Plaza lawn below the 90-foot tall Confederate carving on the side of Stone Mountain.

The Southern Poverty Law Center is calling for the permit to be revoked, saying the potential for violence is still very real.

“It sends the absolute wrong message, not just about the park, but about Georgia’s values and priorities,” said the SPLC’s Lecia Brooks. She says as long as the park features a Confederate carving and street names honoring Confederate leaders, it will continue to attract groups glorifying the Confederacy and white supremacy.

“This is why groups like the Sons of Confederate Veterans choose locations like this,” said Brooks. “It’s the perfect backdrop, my gosh, it’s like you couldn’t do better on a movie set.”

She says allowing the gathering is especially harmful, considering the area surrounding Stone Mountain has a majority Black population.