ATLANTA CITY COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY APPROVES RESOLUTION BY CITY COUNCILMEMBER ANDRE DICKENS URGING GEORGIA TO REMOVE THE CONFEDERATE BATTLE FLAG EMBLEM

The Atlanta City Council today unanimously approved a resolution by Councilmember Dickens to urge the Governor of Georgia and the Georgia General Assembly to remove the Confederate Battle Flag emblem, other symbols of the Confederacy, or any likeness therein as an option for state license plates.

In a show of strong support councilmembers chimed in on the importance and timeliness of the resolution and its significance as the nation takes up this strongly debated issue. Leaders in North Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee have recently announced plans to phase out these offensive symbols from their license plates.

“I am pleased that the City Council unanimously cosponsored this resolution I authored urging the Governor of Georgia and the Georgia General Assembly to remove the Confederate Battle Flag emblem, other symbols of the Confederacy, or any likeness therein as an option for state license plates”, said Councilmember Dickens. “While we mourn the losses in Charleston, South Carolina, now is the time to act in a small way to honor their lives this week and also those who have fought against discrimination and bigotry throughout our state and nation.”

The resolution speaks to the fact that our nation has been reminded of the hateful heritage of the emblem or its likeness on the lives of so many in Georgia who fought against discrimination and bigotry; and seeks to begin healing from the tragic deaths of nine worshipers at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in downtown Charleston, South Carolina by an individual whose actions demonstrated hate instead of peace.