Georgia House Democrats opposed monuments bill

ATLANTA (FOX 5 Atlanta) - Members of the House Democratic Caucus held a news conference Monday to express their opposition to a bill designed to protect monuments all over the state.

They believe the bill is an effort to preserve Confederate monuments at a time when many communities across the country are removing them.

"If a municipality says, 'I don't want Confederate monuments.  I don't want any of these monuments,' then they should be able to remove them on their own," explained State Rep. Erica Thomas, D-Austell.

The bill's primary sponsor, State Senator Jeff Mullis, R-Chickamauga, however, said the bill was drafted to protect all monuments, statues, and markers.

"I think it's time that we protect our history.  Good, bad or indifferent, it's what's created our state and our country.  It's made us stronger and we don't need to try to erase it," explained Sen. Mullis. 

A committee approved the bill last week and the full House of Representatives could vote on the measure later this week.