Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms Signs Legislation to Rename Confederate Avenue
Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms Signs Legislation to Rename Confederate Avenue
ATLANTA—Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, joined by Atlanta City Councilmember Carla Smith, signed legislation officially renaming Confederate Avenue. On October 1st, City Council voted unanimously 11-0 to approve changing Confederate Avenue to United Avenue, and East Confederate Avenue to United Avenue S.E. Councilmember Smith, representing District 1, sponsored the measure.
“For our community to truly be One Atlanta, we must write a new chapter in our own history,” said Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. “The imagery and symbolism of these names and monuments represent systematic injustice, persecution and cruelty. That is not who we are as a city.”
“Thank you to Councilmember Smith for her leadership and advocacy for this change,” concluded Mayor Bottoms. “Today’s historic bill signing serves as further proof that there is no limit to what we can accomplish when we work together.”
The renaming of the streets was recommended by an 11-member advisory committee established last fall to address Confederate iconography in Atlanta. A three-member panel will implement the remaining recommendations made by the advisory committee.
“I am thrilled and excited to witness this moment with my neighbors who worked tirelessly on this effort,” said Councilmember Smith. “The Mayor’s signature on this legislation makes this official and represents who we are and what we are.”
A third street, Confederate Court, will also be renamed Trestletree Court.
