Armed Protesters March through Georgia Confederate Park

By Staff, Agencies

Scores of armed black protesters marched through Stone Mountain Park in Georgia, calling for the removal of an infamous Confederate monument and warning “redneck” militias that “we’re in your house.”

Footage from the march, which brought out 100 to 200 demonstrators, showed heavily-armed black protesters marching through the park on Independence Day, leading some on social media to react with worry at what appeared to be a volatile situation as protests across the country have descended into violence.

The park where the demonstrators made their stand is highly controversial thanks to a large carving of Confederates Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee, and Stonewall Jackson. Another video shows a protester calling the park the “birthplace of the Ku Klux Klan,” referring to the fact that the racist organization was “reborn” at the park.

In 1915, card-carrying members of the KKK built monuments to slavery at the location, including a plantation house, according to the Atlanta History Center, and held a “rebirth” ceremony. The KKK still holds annual rallies there.

Former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams previously called for the removal of the Confederate monument, which is part of a light show on Independence Day that tells the tale of the Confederacy to visitors. There have been renewed calls for its removal since the May 25 death of George Floyd.

Another video from the protest shows those gathered being told that if they are “not ready” to give their lives, then they can get out “right now.”

Despite many on social media reacting to clips of the Saturday demonstration with worry, officials say the protesters conducted their business peacefully.

Race-related protests around the nation have painted similar tense moods. Continued demonstrations in Portland saw activists shooting fireworks at a courthouse and police using tear gas to disperse crowds attempting to build barricades, while a Baltimore demonstration included the toppling of a Christopher Columbus statue.

Other protests around Independence Day included footage of protesters burning and stomping on the US flag outside the White House.