With the recent relocation of the Athens Confederate Monument from its prominent place downtown, the Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement is organizing a “No Place For Hate” rally at the UGA Arch, next to where the monument had been located until its removal this week.
"AADM is excited for the direction of progress in Athens-Clarke County, the result of the hard work by local activists and community leaders." the nonprofit group said in a Friday news release. "In 2017, the Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement first called for the monument’s removal, and after three years of community town halls and conversations with policy makers, our voices were finally heard.
AACM co-founder Knowa Johnson said removal of the monument that was a reminder of the slavery and oppression of Black Americans was not the end of his group's mission of combatting discrimination through education and activism.
"This is only the beginning,” he said.
According to the AADM release, the purpose of the rally is to mobilize Athens in the ongoing fight for racial and social justice and continue to demand policy change, and is a call for the Athens Mayor and Commission and state leaders to continue to stand against discrimination and hate.
"AADM will continue to advocate for racial justices by demanding that the monument be replaced with symbolism that honors the Black community," according to the release. "We call on the Athens Mayor and Commission to work with us and the community in the upcoming months.
The rally is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. on Aug. 20.
A list of AADM’s Justice for Black Lives demands can be found at aadmovement.org/demands.