The argument over Confederate statues and monuments led to bloodshed in Charlottesville and massive protest marches elsewhere.

President Trump stands with many Southerners who want to keep the monuments where they are. But tens of thousands of others believe the time has come to remove these icons from public places and put them in museums or cemeteries — or just stash them in warehouses.

On a new Facebook page, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is moderating a respectful discussion on this explosive topic: What should happen next with these memorials and other symbols of the Confederacy? Should they be removed, left alone or augmented by more information about the person depicted in the statue?

This group is closed. But we're inviting people of all persuasions on this topic to join us — as long as they keep the conversation constructive and respectful.

Interested in joining? Email us at race@ajc.com.

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8/26/17 - Atlanta, GA - Georgia leaders, including Gov. Nathan Deal, Sandra Deal, members of the King family, and Rep. Calvin Smyre,  were on hand for unveiling of the first statue of Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday at the statehouse grounds, more than three years after Gov. Nathan Deal first announced the project.  During the hour-long ceremony leading to the unveiling of the statue of Martin Luther King Jr. at the state Capitol on Monday, many speakers, including Gov. Nathan Deal, spoke of King's biography. The statue was unveiled on the anniversary of King's famed "I Have Dream" speech. BOB ANDRES  /BANDRES@AJC.COM

Credit: Bob Andres