Atlanta, Georgia: Statue of Tom Watson, Jekyll-Hyde of Georgia
Watson twice rose to power as a liberal, but in-between he helped to re-start the Ku Klux Klan and supported lynching blacks, Jews, and Catholics. His 12 ft. tall bronze statue at the steps of the Georgia State Capitol shows him with clenched fists, ready for battle.- Address:
- Washington St. SW, Atlanta, GA
- Directions:
- In front of the west entrance to the Georgia State Capitol. From the north, take I-75/85 exit 248A onto MLK Drive, drive west two blocks, then turn left onto Washington St. The statue will be on the left. From the south, take I-75/85 exit 248B, turn left onto Edgewood Ave., drive four blocks, then turn left again onto Courtland St., which turns into Washington St. The statue will be on the left.
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Statue of Tom Watson, Jekyll-Hyde of Georgia A movement is underway petitioning to remove this statue from the Capital grounds due to Watson's association with so many horrible actions and ideals. The movement is opposed by a counter-bill that would require that if any monuments within the city limits of Atlanta are moved, they must be moved to a site equal in "prominence" to the site it is being moved from. In other words, Watson could be moved from the Capital grounds as long as it is moved to another highly visible site. "It belongs in a museum!" wouldn't count.
[Hilary Williams, 03/26/2013]Nearby Offbeat Places
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Politician, newspaper editor, US senator...Thomas E. Watson flip-flopped during his career from liberal voice of the 99% to angry Nativist who wanted to lynch minorities and reboot the Klan. What a guy.