Zach Benton of Atlanta took a spot on Main Street with a handwritten sign. He said he heard about the counter demonstration on Twitter and decided to be a part of it to show that racism has no place in the city.
‘It’s to show that they have no power here. I want them to know that they are no longer welcome, ”he said.
The organizers of the rally, many of whom come from the militia movement, contend that they are racists. Some say they want to protect their heritage. But others involved in the planning have long been white supremacist activists and the rally was advertised and encouraged on notorious racist internet forums.
Atlanta activist Zach Benton will hold a sign in downtown Stone Mountain on Saturday, May 15, 2020.
Credit: Chris Joyner
Credit: Chris Joyner
8 AM ORIGINAL POST:
Several far-right groups, including militias and white supremacists, plan to ride Saturday at Stone Mountain, and a broad coalition of left-wing anti-racist groups are organizing a counterattack. Local authorities, who have closely monitored online conversations about the rally, are safe from possible conflict.
On Friday night, park officials announced that the site will close its gates on Saturday instead of allowing a confrontation. The town of Stone Mountain has meanwhile urged people to stay away from the city center, and the MARTA bus service is being lifted within city limits.
The rally was planned in response to hundreds of members of a Black militia who turned heads on July 4 as they marched with assault rifles, shotguns and other firearms, on Stone Mountain and the famous Confederate memorial.
This is the second time the park has closed for a planned political demonstration. The park closed last year on the Saturday before Atlanta hosted Super Bowl LIII to divert demonstrations around a planned white supremacist rally.
Check back here at AJC.com for live updates from Stone Mountain later this morning. Return to AJC.com for updates.
