Activists block Stone Mountain carving to protest Coca-Cola sponsorship of state park

Banner was lifted by two giant helium balloons

Activists blocked the controversial carving at Stone Mountain today with a giant banner to protest Coca-Cola’s sponsorship of the state park.   
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? The banner, which was lifted by two 10-foot balloons that took five tanks of helium to fill, said “Heritage of Hate: Coca-Cola Supports Racism” in the cursive style of the soft drink company’s logo and branding. 
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? According to Rise Up Georgia, the group that organized the event, the protest was meant to put pressure on Coca-Cola and hold the company “accountable for their support of Stone Mountain and a history of racism.
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? The group wants Coca-Cola to drop its sponsorship of Stone Mountain events “and all other forms of institutional racism in the corporation’s home state of Georgia.”
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? Charles Long, an activist from Chicago who helped direct the banner holders, says he “didn’t know that such a thing sponsored by the state existed,” referring to the giant rock carving. “Racism is rampant and it deserves to be blatantly called out,” he said. 
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? The group was prepared to be arrested for their demonstration but met little opposition from Stone Mountain police. After a couple of hours, officers told the activists the balloons needed to come down.
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? Rise Up Georgia has launched a petition calling for Coca-Cola to end its support.