Stone Mountain cemetery targeted by vandalism

STONE MOUNTAIN, Ga. - The vandalism of several grave markers in the city of Stone Mountain is under investigation. 

Crews spent Wednesday cleaning up the graffiti.

Confederate monuments targeted in Stone Mountain

What we know:

FOX 5 cameras spotted several spray-painted red X-marks over an obelisk erected by the Sons of Confederate Veterans to remember the fallen soldiers during the Civil War in Stone Mountain.

A grave marker reading '22 unknown Confederate soldiers' also had red spray-paint haphazardly scribbled over it. 

City officials say workers will have most of the graffiti cleared by the end of the day. 

What we don't know:

Investigators are searching for the individual or individuals responsible.

A description has not yet been released.

Defacing a grave in Georgia: What's the law?

Dig deeper:

The person who committed the crime could be charged with criminal damage to property, which carries a penalty of up to ten years in prison, a fine of up to $1,000, or both, along with restitution.

The charge of defacing, defiling, or damaging a grave could also apply, carrying a penalty of up to three years in prison, fines, and restitution. 

Additionally, in Georgia, there is the option to charge the vandal with desecration of a Confederate monument, which carries a penalty of up to five years in prison, as well as fines and restitution.

Stone Mountain and the Confederacy

Local perspective:

Stone Mountain Park, located in the city, is an official Confederate memorial. The mountain itself features a massive bas-relief carving depicting three Confederate leaders: Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee, and Stonewall Jackson. The carving was completed in 1972.

The project was initially conceived in the early 20th century, with the United Daughters of the Confederacy playing a significant role in its inception. The carving was intended to commemorate the Confederacy and its leaders, reflecting the sentiments of the "Lost Cause" narrative that romanticized the Southern cause in the Civil War.

The carving and its Confederate symbolism have been criticized for glorifying a painful period in American history. The site has also been associated with the Ku Klux Klan, which held rallies and cross burnings on the mountain in the early 20th century.

Throughout its history, the park has been a popular recreational area.

Calls to end Confederate monuments

The other side:

In recent years, there have been calls to remove or alter the Confederate imagery on Stone Mountain. Advocates for change argue that the monument is a symbol of racial oppression and does not reflect the values of a diverse and inclusive society. Opponents of removal often cite historical preservation and heritage as reasons to maintain the carving.

Efforts to address the controversy have included proposals to add context to the site, such as educational exhibits that provide a more comprehensive history of the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement. The debate over Stone Mountain is part of a broader national conversation about how to handle Confederate symbols and monuments in public spaces.