Another controversy over the Confederate flag has developed in metro Atlanta.

The city of Tyrone in Fayette County is debating what to do about a mural at City Hall that includes a soldier with a Confederate flag draped over his shoulder, Channel 2 Action News reported Thursday.

“I’m not offended by it,” Mayor Eric Dial said. “But that’s not the point.”

The controversy arose at the Aug. 17 City Council meeting, when state Rep. Derrick Jackson objected to the mural.

“This is not about history, this is not about heritage,” Jackson told Channel 2. “This is about doing the right thing.”

City leaders decided to put up a red curtain to cover the mural from public view. It has been on the wall for 21 years.

A curtain covers a mural that depicts a soldier with a Confederate flag. (Credit: Channel 2 Action News)
icon to expand image

Not everyone likes even the temporary action.

“I don't like it,” business owner Lisa Lytle said, “just because ... that's part of our history.”

No permanent decision has been reached.

“We have a very diverse community,” Dial said. “And we want to make sure we're sensitive to every person’s input.”

In other news:

The man who found the baby said he was absolutely shocked.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth, among others, will no longer be considered fee-free days at U.S. National Parks. While the MLK National Historic Park in Atlanta doesn't charge admission, the new schedule will affect such metro Atlanta sites as Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Featured

Jo'wan Bellamy taught in the GNETS program for 17 years and recently transferred to Atlanta’s new behavioral program at Crawford Long Middle School. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com