Georgia Flag Comes Down at Stadium in Atlanta

Georgia’s flag will be removed from Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium because its design includes the Confederate battle emblem.

The Atlanta-Fulton County Recreation Authority, which governs the facility, voted unanimously Wednesday to stop flying the state flag at the stadium, home of the Braves, where baseball will be played during the 1996 Summer Olympics.

“We think that it sends the right, positive message across this nation that it’s time to change these symbols from a bygone era and bring this state a symbol that represents everyone and not just one group of the people,” said state Sen. Ralph David Abernathy III (D-Atlanta).

Opponents of the flag contend it is racist because it includes the Confederate emblem--crossed blue bars with stars on a red field. Supporters say it is part of the state’s heritage.

Efforts to change the flag have failed in the Georgia legislature, though polls taken by Georgia State University show support from the state’s citizens for maintaining the design.

Jurisprudence

Charles Barkley was in court at East Rutherford, N.J., to defend himself against charges that he hit a fan at the Meadowlands Arena after a game last season.

Dennis McKeever, 30, of Yonkers, N.Y., testified in Municipal Court that the Phoenix star struck him in the face with the back of his hand when he tried to shake his hand after the Suns defeated the New Jersey Nets on Dec. 8, 1992.

A friend of McKeever’s, James McCaffery, testified that perhaps Barkley was angry with him because he had been yelling at the player about his bald head and also telling him to sign some autographs.

McKeever has a civil suit pending against Barkley in Superior Court.

Barkley, who laughed occasionally during McKeever’s testimony and signed autographs for children during a break, faces six months in jail and a $1,000 fine if convicted of assault.

“I’ll give him $5 to call it a day,” Barkley said. “That’s it. That’s my only offer to him.”