Stone Mountain Confederate Memorial Day Celebration Set For April 30

STONE MOUNTAIN, GA — The Sons of Confederate Veterans are planning to celebrate Confederate Memorial Day at Stone Mountain Park later this month, reported the Atlanta-Journal Constitution.

Records obtained by the AJC showed this year’s permit application — submitted by Richard K. Straut, a SCV representative who’s also running for a seat in the Georgia state Senate — was approved earlier this month.

The Confederate Memorial Day event is scheduled for the morning of April 30 on Stone Mountain Park’s memorial lawn, reported the AJC. Up to 200 attendees could attend.

According to Straut’s campaign website, the retired police officer had a nearly three-decade career with the Atlanta Police Department and said he will never “bow to the threats and bullying tactics of the liberal mob.”

The Confederate group’s request to hold the ceremony last year was denied by state officials, reported the AJC due to reasons such as “a clear and present danger to public health or safety.”

According to WSB-TV more than 100 members of the Confederate group rode through Stone Mountain Park despite being denied the permit. The Confederate Memorial Day event has been celebrated at the park for almost two decades on April 26, reported the news station.

The monument has always been controversial as there are those who see it as part of their heritage, while others say it’s a racial symbol of White supremacy. Under Georgia law, it can’t be removed, reported CNN.