Sons of Confederate Veterans File Appeal to Challenge DeKalb County Court’s Dismissal of Stone Mountain Lawsuit

On March 10, 2026, the Sons of Confederate Veterans officially filed a Notice of Appeal to the Superior Court of DeKalb County. The appeal challenges a recent order granting the State’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit regarding the removal of the memorial flag terrace at Stone Mountain Memorial Park and the introduction of new woke museum exhibits. The plaintiffs contend these actions violate both Official Code of Georgia Annotated Section 12-3-191, et seq., which mandates that Stone Mountain Park be maintained as a memorial to the Confederacy and Official Code of Georgia Annotated Section 50-3-1 that mandates that if lawfully relocated, monuments must be relocated in a place of similar prominence. The State of Georgia’s defense rests on technical arguments of "sovereign immunity" and a lack of "taxpayer standing," effectively suggesting that the State cannot be sued for its actions. The Sons of Confederate Veterans argue that this position allows the State to bypass legal accountability, preventing the case from ever being judged on its actual merits. "We find the State’s position deeply ironic," the plaintiffs stated. "In October 2022, the Georgia Supreme Court ruled that Georgia stakeholders have standing to sue the government for breaking state law. Furthermore, in 2020, Georgia General Assembly unanimously passed and the Georgia voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional referendum—by approximately 75%—to remove sovereign immunity as a legal defense." The plaintiffs also pointed to 2020 statements from Attorney General Chris Carr, who previously affirmed the right of individuals to sue government entities that violate Georgia’s monument protection laws. The individual plaintiffs remain committed to fighting the Stone Mountain Memorial Association and the Attorney General’s office for what they describe as a clear disregard for the law mandated by the Georgia General Assembly. They seek to ensure that state agencies remain accountable to the citizens of Georgia and the laws governing the park's historical preservation. Click here to make a donation to the SCV's Stone Mountain Legal Defense Fight.Click here for a copy of the Notice of Appeal