The Sons of Confederate Veterans blasted Gov. Nathan Deal's decision to strike Confederate Memorial Day and Robert E. Lee's birthday from the state's official calendar as a "disgraceful" act that amounts to erasing Georgia's Civil War history.
Tim Pilgrim, the group's leader, sent a lengthy statement Friday that said Deal's decision is an "act of dishonor." In an email sent to state employees this week, the state replaced the names of both holidays with the more neutral term "state holiday."
Said Pilgrim:
Deal's spokesman Brian Robinson said most state employees will still get days off for both events, even if the names have changed. He added that "those so inclined can observe Confederate Memorial Day and remember those who died in that conflict.”
Pilgrim said he believes Deal buckled to critics calling for Georgia to retreat from its embrace of Confederate symbols after the racially-tinged massacre of nine black worshippers at a Charleston church by a suspected white supremacist.
"Georgia citizens and veterans should be outraged of this blatant act of disrespect to veterans who served their State and Country honorably and with valor," he said.
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