Atlanta mayor orders flags at half-staff, considers renaming Confederate roads

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed is ordering flags at City Hall to fly at half-staff after last weekend’s deadly demonstrations in Charlottesville, Va., and is considering petitions calling for streets with Confederate names to be changed.

Reed, in a statement, said he has ordered flags on city property to flown at half-staff “out of respect for the victims of violence in Charlottesville.

“I am deeply saddened that hate-based violence took the lives of Heather Heyer and state troopers Jay Cullen and Berke Bates, and seriously injured many others,” he said. “My thoughts and prayers are with each of these individuals, their families and loved ones.”

Reed said he also will soon make a decision on petitions seeking to rename streets such as Confederate Avenue. A change.org petition seeking to change the name of the Grant Park road had more than 3,700 signatures by mid-afternoon Thursday.

“Over the past two days, Atlanta residents have started petitions and called for city streets bearing the name of the Confederacy or Confederate leaders to be renamed,” Reed said. “I will carefully consider these petitions, because symbols matter, and as those espousing hate-filled ideologies grow bolder, we must grow stronger in defense of our values.”

Cox Media Group