The Confederate Memorial Carving, at 90 by 190 feet, is not just a piece of art or history; it is a glorification of leaders who fought to uphold slavery and white supremacy. Figures like General Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, and Jefferson Davis are depicted on this monument, overlooking Stone Mountain, home to Ku Klux Klan events throughout the 20th century. Its presence stands in stark contradiction to the diverse state Georgia is today, where all residents should feel included and respected.

Sandblasting the carving would be a powerful act towards reconciling our past. It would symbolize a move away from glorifying the Confederate legacy, which dismays many Georgians and visitors. It would not erase history but instead demand a truthful reckoning with it, allowing us to forge a path forward that respects and honours all histories and cultures.

Inflammable debates around confederate symbols have surged, particularly since the racially motivated violence in Charleston in 2015 and the events in Charlottesville in 2017. Research shows that these symbols, intended to commemorate Southern history, do not provide accurate representation and often serve as rallying points for hate groups. Organizations like the Southern Poverty Law Center have documented nearly 1,500 public symbols of the Confederacy across the U.S., most erected long after the Civil War, during the Jim Crow era and the Civil Rights Movement, to intimidate African Americans.

Moreover, public opinion is shifting. A 2020 survey by the Public Religion Research Institute found that 52% of Americans believe Confederate monuments should be removed from public spaces. Stone Mountain, the largest high-relief sculpture in the world, should heed these shifting perceptions and join places like Richmond’s Monument Avenue in removing these divisive symbols.

There are alternative ways to preserve history without glorifying the Confederacy, such as transforming the space into an educational exhibit to honestly present the complexities of the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement, inviting reflection and dialogue. This transformation could turn Stone Mountain into a meaningful site for understanding and reconciliation.

Let's make a stand against the symbols of hatred and oppression that have overshadowed Stone Mountain for too long. Sign this petition to urge Georgia's state government and the Stone Mountain Memorial Association to sandblast the Confederate Memorial Carving. Let us celebrate the beauty of Stone Mountain, free from the shadows of a painful past.