Jump to content

Liberty Plaza (Atlanta): Difference between revisions

Add links
Coordinates: 33°44′55″N 84°23′14″W / 33.7485°N 84.3871°W / 33.7485; -84.3871
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Added a short description, see WP:WPSHORTDESC if interested
GreenC bot (talk | contribs)
Bots
2,428,066 edits
 
(43 intermediate revisions by 8 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{coord|33.7485|N|84.3871|W|display=title}}
{{Short description|Public plaza in Atlanta, Georgia}}
{{Short description|Public plaza in Atlanta, Georgia}}
{{Use American English|date = January 2020}}
{{Use American English|date = January 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date = January 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date = January 2020}}
[[File:Liberty Plaza 2015.jpg|thumb|290x290px|Liberty Plaza, with the [[Georgia State Capitol]] in the background. (2015)]]
[[File:Liberty Plaza 2015.jpg|thumb|290x290px|Liberty Plaza, with the [[Georgia State Capitol]] in the background. (2015)]]
'''Liberty Plaza''' is a public [[plaza]] in [[downtown Atlanta]], Georgia, adjacent to the [[Georgia State Capitol]]. Completed in 2015, the 2.2 acre plaza is capable of holding over 3,000 people and has hosted numerous political demonstrations in Atlanta.
'''Liberty Plaza''' is a public [[plaza]] in [[downtown Atlanta]], Georgia, adjacent to the [[Georgia State Capitol]]. Completed in 2015, the 2.2-acre plaza is capable of holding over 3,000 people and has hosted numerous political demonstrations in Atlanta.


== History ==
== History ==
The idea of a public greenspace near the [[Georgia State Capitol]] dates back to 1910, when a tree-lined boulevard approaching the capitol was proposed.{{sfn|Salzer|2014a}} This proposal, an example of the [[City Beautiful movement]], was made by Atlanta-based architect [[Haralson Bleckley]] and would have seen [[The Gulch (Atlanta)|the Gulch]] capped by a broad civic plaza extending from the Capitol to [[Terminal Station (Atlanta)|Terminal Station]].{{sfn|Morrison|2019|p=45}} This "[[Bleckley Plaza Plan]]" was rejected in 1916, and while it was revived in 1923, 1927, and 1930, all revivals were ultimately also rejected.{{sfn|Lands|2009|p=68}} Other proposals made in 1927, 1932, and 1944 called for a square plaza to be built between the Capitol and [[Atlanta City Hall]], but like the previous proposals, these never came to fruition.{{sfn|''The Atlanta Journal-Constitution''}} Because of the lack of a plaza near the Capitol, most political demonstrations and inaugurations on the Capitol grounds were held near the western entrance of the Capitol on Washington Street, which often caused the road to be closed.{{sfn|Salzer|2014b}}{{sfn|Williams|2015}} Speaking of the lack of a public plaza near the Capitol in 2014, former member of the [[Georgia State Senate]] [[George Hooks]] said, "Our Capitol has probably the smallest amount of green space of any Capitol I know of in the country.”{{sfn|Salzer|2014a}}
The idea of a public greenspace near the [[Georgia State Capitol]] dates back to 1910, when a tree-lined boulevard approaching the capitol was proposed.<ref name=":0" /> Prior to the construction of the plaza, most political demonstrations on the Capitol grounds were held near the western entrance of the Capitol on Washington Street, which often caused the road to be closed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/print-edition/2015/01/09/new-plaza-makes-more-space-for-liberty.html|title=New plaza makes more space for ‘liberty’|last=Williams|first=Dave|date=January 9, 2015|website=[[Atlanta Business Chronicle]]|publisher=[[American City Business Journals]]|url-status=live|access-date=January 30, 2020}}</ref> The plaza itself was approved in the Fall of 2013 by the Georgia Building Authority, with a cost of $4.4 million that was raised through the selling of unneeded government buildings.<ref name=":0" /> With designs by architectural firm Stevens & Wilkinson, construction of the plaza began in 2014 on the site of a 60-year old parking garage, which was demolished to make way for the plaza.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.ajc.com/news/remake-capitol-hill-includes-new-liberty-plaza/vikfljpDQi4zYED60zlBzH/|title=Remake of Capitol Hill includes new, ‘Liberty Plaza’|last=Salzer|first=James|date=April 26, 2014|website=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]|publisher=[[Cox Enterprises]]|language=english|url-status=live|access-date=January 30, 2020}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://atlantaintownpaper.com/2015/01/liberty-plaza-opens-across-state-capitol/|title=Liberty Plaza opens across from State Capitol|last=Kelley|first=Collin|date=January 16, 2015|website=Atlanta INtown Paper|language=en-US|url-status=live|access-date=January 30, 2020}}</ref> Completed in 2015, the 2.2 acre public plaza includes an 8,000 square foot grass lawn and is capable of holding over 3,000 people.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.atlantamagazine.com/news-culture-articles/these-26-projects-will-radically-transform-memorial-drive/|title=These 26 projects will radically transform Memorial Drive|last=Blau|first=Max|date=March 28, 2016|website=[[Atlanta (magazine)|Atlanta]]|language=en-US|url-status=live|access-date=January 30, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/state-georgia-gives-liberty-plaza-lawn-000-dye-job/aNHn3ieUHgcWfy9FgPUKhI/|title=State of Georgia gives Liberty Plaza lawn a $1,000 dye job|last=Salzer|first=James|date=January 26, 2016|website=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]|publisher=[[Cox Enterprises]]|language=english|url-status=live|access-date=January 30, 2020}}</ref> The first major event held at the plaza occurred on January 12, 2015, when Governor [[Nathan Deal]] held his [[inauguration]] at the newly constructed plaza.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.covnews.com/news/state/deals-inauguration-set-for-jan-12-in-atlanta/|title=Deal's inauguration set for Jan. 12 in Atlanta|date=December 1, 2014|website=[[The Covington News]]|url-status=live|access-date=January 30, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ajc.com/blog/investigations/six-months-after-opens-liberty-plaza-needs-000-sod-lift/I2vYjuRWE277unB1UcT9PJ/|title=Six months after it opens, Liberty Plaza needs a $12,000 sod-lift|last=Salzer|first=James|date=July 27, 2015|website=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]|publisher=[[Cox Enterprises]]|language=english|url-status=live|access-date=January 30, 2020}}</ref> Several days later on January 16, Deal officially dedicated the plaza.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/state-opens-liberty-plaza-across-from-capitol/7xZE2izHT6ySk2YddhftZM/|title=State opens Liberty Plaza across from Capitol|last=Bluestein|first=Greg|date=January 16, 2015|website=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]|publisher=[[Cox Enterprises]]|language=english|url-status=live|access-date=January 30, 2020}}</ref> Deal also pledged that a statue of [[Martin Luther King Jr.]] would be constructed on the plaza.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/downtown/henry-county-man-to-sculpt-mlk-statue-for-ga-capitol/85-129393187|title=Henry County man to sculpt MLK statue for Ga. Capitol|date=June 30, 2015|website=[[WXIA-TV]]|url-status=live|access-date=January 30, 2020}}</ref>


===Modern era===
The plaza houses model reproductions of the [[Liberty Bell]] and the [[Statue of Liberty]] that were previously held elsewhere on the Capitol grounds.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gba.georgia.gov/liberty-plaza|title=Liberty Plaza|website=Georgia Building Authority|publisher=[[Government of Georgia (U.S. state)|Government of Georgia]]|language=en|url-status=live|access-date=January 30, 2020}}</ref> The plaza also hosts a statue of [[Thomas E. Watson]], which had previously been located at the Capitol steps.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ajc.com/news/tom-watson-statue-removed-from-georgia-capitol-steps/lXsGyKnHtKqWHvabgEzNVP/|title=Tom Watson statue removed from Georgia’s Capitol steps|last=Torres|first=Kristina|date=November 29, 2013|website=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]|publisher=[[Cox Enterprises]]|language=english|url-status=live|access-date=January 30, 2020}}</ref> In 2017, a statue of Martin Luther King Jr. overlooking the plaza was unveiled.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/long-time-coming-mlk-statue-unveiled-georgia-capitol/8HzZicjTYH9fwZ18tOlwZK/|title=Long time coming: MLK statue unveiled at Georgia Capitol|last=Bluestein|first=Greg|date=August 28, 2017|website=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]|publisher=[[Cox Enterprises]]|language=English|url-status=live|access-date=January 30, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.atlantamagazine.com/news-culture-articles/georgia-capitols-martin-luther-king-jr-statue-unveiled-54th-anniversary-dream/|title=Georgia Capitol's Martin Luther King Jr. statue unveiled on 54th anniversary of "I Have a Dream"|last=Wells|first=Myrydd|date=August 28, 2017|website=[[Atlanta (magazine)|Atlanta]]|language=en-US|url-status=live|access-date=January 30, 2020}}</ref> Notable demonstrations that have occurred at the plaza include the [[March for Our Lives]] in 2018, a [[September 2019 climate strikes|climate strike in September 2019]], and the 2020 Georgia [[United States anti-abortion movement|March for Life]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ajc.com/news/local/march-for-our-lives-atlanta-how-march-unfolded-social-media/Av6dXLKSpJMMyUCzxidr6M/|title=March for Our Lives Atlanta: How the march unfolded on social media|last=Martinez|first=Courtney|date=March 24, 2018|website=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]|publisher=[[Cox Enterprises]]|language=English|url-status=live|access-date=January 30, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/hundreds-flood-georgia-state-capitol-steps-in-climate-strike|title=Hundreds flood Georgia State Capitol steps in climate strike|last=Ikeda|first=Emilie|date=September 20, 2019|website=[[WAGA-TV]]|language=en-US|url-status=live|access-date=January 30, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://christiannewswire.com/news/1847783421.html|title=Annual Georgia March for Life Tomorrow|date=January 21, 2020|website=Christian News Wire|url-status=live|access-date=January 30, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/standing-for-the-unborn-state-by-state|title=Standing for the Unborn, State by State: Where to Witness to Life Around Nation|last=Pronechen|first=Joseph|date=January 10, 2020|website=[[National Catholic Register]]|publisher=[[EWTN]]|url-status=live|access-date=January 30, 2020}}</ref> In 2018, the [[American Civil Liberties Union|ACLU]] of Georgia sent a latter to the Georgia Building Authority (which operates the plaza) urging them to amend their policies regarding permits for holding political rallies and protests at the location.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/aclu-georgia-urges-state-building-authority-end-government-censorship-liberty-plaza|title=The ACLU of Georgia Urges the State Building Authority to End Government Censorship of Liberty Plaza|date=March 13, 2018|website=[[American Civil Liberties Union]]|language=en|url-status=live|access-date=January 30, 2020}}</ref>
In 2008, Steve Fanczi (Deputy Executive Director of the Georgia Building Authority) developed and proposed plans for a public plaza to the east of the State Capitol called "Liberty Plaza".{{sfn|Georgia Building Authority|2016}} The plans were finally approved in the Fall of 2013 by the Governing Board of the Georgia Building Authority, with a cost of $4.4 million that was raised through the selling of surplus government property.{{sfn|Salzer|2014a}} With designs by architectural firm Stevens & Wilkinson, work on the plaza began on June 5, 2014 with the demolition of a 60-year-old [[Multistorey car park|parking garage]] just east of the Capitol.{{sfn|Salzer|2014a}}{{sfn|''The Atlanta Journal-Constitution''|2014}}{{sfn|Kelley|2015}} Completed in 2015, the 2.2-acre public plaza includes an 8,000-square-foot grass lawn and is capable of holding over 3,000 people.{{sfn|Salzer|2014a}}{{sfn|Blau|2016}}{{sfn|Salzer|2016}} While Governor [[Nathan Deal]] had originally intended for his [[inauguration]] to be held at the newly constructed plaza on January 12, 2015,{{sfn|''The Covington News''|2014}}{{sfn|Salzer|2015}} bad weather forced the ceremony to take place inside the Capitol.{{sfn|Bluestein|2015a}} Several days later on January 16, Deal officially dedicated the plaza.{{sfn|Kelley|2015}}{{sfn|Bluestein|2015b}} Deal also pledged that a statue of [[Martin Luther King Jr.]] would be constructed on the plaza.{{sfn|Kelley|2015}}{{sfn|''WXIA-TV''|2015}}

==Demonstration venue==
Notable demonstrations that have occurred at the plaza include the [[March for Our Lives]] in 2018, a [[September 2019 climate strikes|climate strike in September 2019]], and the 2020 Georgia [[United States anti-abortion movement|March for Life]].{{sfn|Martinez|2018}}{{sfn|Ikeda|2019}}{{sfn|''Christian News Wire''|2020}}{{sfn|Pronechen|2020}}

=== Controversy ===
In 2018, a Federal lawsuit was filed by organizers of the March for Our Lives alleging that the requests process for holding a protest on the grounds was unconstitutional. The process required any event held after normal business hours on the grounds to be sponsored by a [[State constitutional officer|Constitutional officer]] of the state, which the organizers stated was a violation of their [[First Amendment to the United States Constitution|First Amendment rights]]. While the organizers were initially unable to receive a sponsorship from any of the Constitutional officers (who at the time, they pointed out, were all [[Republicans (GOP)|Republicans]]), Governor Nathan Deal eventually agreed to sponsor the protest.{{sfn|Bluestein|2018a}}{{sfn|Bluestein|2018b}}{{sfn|Galloway|2018}} In response to this incident, the [[American Civil Liberties Union|ACLU]] of Georgia sent a letter to the Georgia Building Authority (which operates the plaza) urging them to amend their policies regarding permits for holding political rallies and protests at the location.{{sfn|American Civil Liberties Union|2018}}

==Statues and reproductions==
The plaza houses model reproductions of the [[Liberty Bell]] and the [[Statue of Liberty]] that were previously held elsewhere on the Capitol grounds.{{sfn|Bluestein|2015b}}{{sfn|Georgia Building Authority}} Surrounding the Liberty Bell is a ring of 13 [[State flag|state flags]] from the original [[Thirteen Colonies]], as well as the [[U.S. flag]] and Liberty Plaza flag.{{sfn|Johnston|2015}}{{sfn|Taylor|2020}} A [[Statue of Martin Luther King Jr. (Atlanta)|statue of Martin Luther King Jr.]] overlooking the plaza was unveiled on August 28, 2017, the 54th anniversary of King's [[I Have a Dream]] speech.{{sfn|Bluestein|2017}}{{sfn|Wells|2017}}

== See also ==
* Lawyers Mall, the greenspace in front of the [[Maryland State House]]
* [[Minnesota State Capitol Mall]]
* Capitol Grounds on [[Capitol Square]], surrounding the [[Ohio Statehouse]]
* [[Capitol Mall]], which borders the [[California State Capitol]]


== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}

== Bibliography ==
{{refbegin|30em|indent=yes}}
* {{Cite web|url=https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/aclu-georgia-urges-state-building-authority-end-government-censorship-liberty-plaza|title=The ACLU of Georgia Urges the State Building Authority to End Government Censorship of Liberty Plaza|date=March 13, 2018|website=[[American Civil Liberties Union]]|language=en|access-date=January 30, 2020|ref={{harvid|American Civil Liberties Union|2018}}}}
* {{Cite web|url=https://www.atlantamagazine.com/news-culture-articles/these-26-projects-will-radically-transform-memorial-drive/|title=These 26 projects will radically transform Memorial Drive|last=Blau|first=Max|date=March 28, 2016|website=[[Atlanta (magazine)|Atlanta]]|language=en-US|access-date=January 30, 2020}}
* {{Cite web|url=https://www.ajc.com/blog/politics/four-keys-nathan-deal-inaugural-speech/U09U3fkdFCmwx2GfcETG3O/|title=Four keys to Nathan Deal's inaugural speech|last=Bluestein|first=Greg|date=January 12, 2015a|website=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]|publisher=[[Cox Enterprises]]|language=english|access-date=February 2, 2020}}
* {{Cite web|url=https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/state-opens-liberty-plaza-across-from-capitol/7xZE2izHT6ySk2YddhftZM/|title=State opens Liberty Plaza across from Capitol|last=Bluestein|first=Greg|date=January 16, 2015b|website=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]|publisher=[[Cox Enterprises]]|language=english|access-date=January 30, 2020}}
* {{Cite web|url=https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/long-time-coming-mlk-statue-unveiled-georgia-capitol/8HzZicjTYH9fwZ18tOlwZK/|title=Long time coming: MLK statue unveiled at Georgia Capitol|last=Bluestein|first=Greg|date=August 28, 2017|website=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]|publisher=[[Cox Enterprises]]|language=English|access-date=January 30, 2020}}
* {{Cite web|url=https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/federal-lawsuit-targets-georgia-policy-blocking-gun-control-protest/8cGk9LFqIkd6aiUbGjXFbO/|title=Federal lawsuit targets Georgia policy blocking gun control protest|last=Bluestein|first=Greg|date=March 12, 2018a|website=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]|publisher=[[Cox Enterprises]]|language=English|access-date=February 1, 2020}}
* {{Cite web|url=https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/georgia-governor-oks-gun-rally-after-lawsuit-targeted-event-policy/KFbuGhLLCemsmI86StwhPM/|title=Georgia governor OKs gun rally after lawsuit targeted event policy|last=Bluestein|first=Greg|date=March 13, 2018b|website=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]|publisher=[[Cox Enterprises]]|language=English|access-date=February 1, 2020}}
* {{Cite web|url=http://christiannewswire.com/news/1847783421.html|title=Annual Georgia March for Life Tomorrow|date=January 21, 2020|website=Christian News Wire|access-date=January 30, 2020|ref={{harvid|Christian News Wire|2020}}}}
* {{Cite web|url=https://www.ajc.com/blog/politics/yes-think-how-strange-sounds-permission-granted-assemble-speak-freely-liberty-plaza/8s9xSh1tXFevYxOpR7O08N/|title=Yes, think how strange it sounds: Permission granted to assemble, speak freely at Liberty Plaza|last=Galloway|first=Jim|date=March 13, 2018|website=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]|publisher=[[Cox Enterprises]]|language=english|access-date=February 1, 2020}}
* {{Cite web|url=https://gba.georgia.gov/press-releases/2016-08-15/liberty-plaza-hundred-years-making|title=Liberty Plaza: A hundred years in the making|date=August 15, 2016|website=Georgia Building Authority|publisher=[[Government of Georgia (U.S. state)|Government of Georgia]]|language=en|access-date=February 1, 2020|ref={{harvid|Georgia Building Authority|2016}}}}
* {{Cite web|url=https://gba.georgia.gov/liberty-plaza|title=Liberty Plaza|website=Georgia Building Authority|publisher=[[Government of Georgia (U.S. state)|Government of Georgia]]|language=en|access-date=January 30, 2020|ref={{harvid|Georgia Building Authority}}}}
* {{Cite web|url=https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/hundreds-flood-georgia-state-capitol-steps-in-climate-strike|title=Hundreds flood Georgia State Capitol steps in climate strike|last=Ikeda|first=Emilie|date=September 20, 2019|website=[[WAGA-TV]]|language=en-US|access-date=January 30, 2020}}
* {{Cite web|url=https://www.ajc.com/news/the-news/1jj47MppkyuBMvHYlB8CAO/|title=Q&A on the News|last=Johnston|first=Andy|date=March 14, 2015|website=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]|publisher=[[Cox Enterprises]]|language=english|access-date=February 1, 2020}}
* {{Cite web|url=https://roughdraftatlanta.com/2015/01/16/liberty-plaza-opens-across-state-capitol/|title=Liberty Plaza opens across from State Capitol|last=Kelley|first=Collin|date=January 16, 2015|website=Atlanta INtown Paper|language=en-US|access-date=January 30, 2020}}
* {{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OOVo_XQ03HwC&q=haralson+bleckley&pg=PA65|title=The Culture of Property: Race, Class, and Housing Landscapes in Atlanta, 1880-1950|last=Lands|first=LeeAnn|publisher=[[University of Georgia Press]]|year=2009|isbn=978-0-8203-3392-2|language=en|via=[[Google Books]]}}
* {{Cite web|url=https://www.ajc.com/news/local/march-for-our-lives-atlanta-how-march-unfolded-social-media/Av6dXLKSpJMMyUCzxidr6M/|title=March for Our Lives Atlanta: How the march unfolded on social media|last=Martinez|first=Courtney|date=March 24, 2018|website=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]|publisher=[[Cox Enterprises]]|language=English|access-date=January 30, 2020}}
* {{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MFCwDwAAQBAJ&q=haralson+bleckley&pg=PA45|title=Atlanta Underground: History from Below|last=Morrison|first=Jeffrey|year=2019|publisher=[[Rowman & Littlefield]]|isbn=978-1-4930-4371-2|language=en|via=[[Google Books]]}}
* {{Cite web|url=https://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/standing-for-the-unborn-state-by-state|title=Standing for the Unborn, State by State: Where to Witness to Life Around Nation|last=Pronechen|first=Joseph|date=January 10, 2020|website=[[National Catholic Register]]|publisher=[[EWTN]]|access-date=January 30, 2020}}
* {{Cite web|url=https://www.ajc.com/news/remake-capitol-hill-includes-new-liberty-plaza/vikfljpDQi4zYED60zlBzH/|title=Remake of Capitol Hill includes new, 'Liberty Plaza'|last=Salzer|first=James|date=April 26, 2014a|website=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]|publisher=[[Cox Enterprises]]|language=english|access-date=January 30, 2020}}
* {{Cite web|url=https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/liberty-plaza-taking-shape-for-governor-inauguration/eWH1BMa3sJ7LVYmd554CLO/|title=Liberty Plaza taking shape for governor's inauguration|last=Salzer|first=James|date=November 29, 2014b|website=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]|publisher=[[Cox Enterprises]]|language=english|access-date=February 1, 2020}}
* {{Cite web|url=https://www.ajc.com/blog/investigations/six-months-after-opens-liberty-plaza-needs-000-sod-lift/I2vYjuRWE277unB1UcT9PJ/|title=Six months after it opens, Liberty Plaza needs a $12,000 sod-lift|last=Salzer|first=James|date=July 27, 2015|website=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]|publisher=[[Cox Enterprises]]|language=english|access-date=January 30, 2020}}
* {{Cite web|url=https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/state-georgia-gives-liberty-plaza-lawn-000-dye-job/aNHn3ieUHgcWfy9FgPUKhI/|title=State of Georgia gives Liberty Plaza lawn a $1,000 dye job|last=Salzer|first=James|date=January 26, 2016|website=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]|publisher=[[Cox Enterprises]]|language=english|access-date=January 30, 2020}}
* {{Cite web|url=http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2020/01/atlantas-liberty-plaza.html|title=Atlanta's Liberty Plaza|last=Taylor|first=Travis Swann|date=January 16, 2020|website=wanderlust ATLANTA|language=en|access-date=February 1, 2020}}
* {{Cite web|url=https://www.ajc.com/news/liberty-plaza-work-begins/G5Ut7JXOZsd1tH6vqdHYVK/|title=Liberty Plaza work begins|date=June 5, 2014|website=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]|publisher=[[Cox Enterprises]]|language=english|access-date=February 1, 2020|ref={{harvid|The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|2014}}}}
* {{Cite web|url=https://www.ajc.com/news/local/plans-for-liberty-plaza-the-state-capitol/MV0DQez81RR11uObyzFCkN/|title=Plans for Liberty Plaza at the State Capitol|website=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]|publisher=[[Cox Enterprises]]|language=english|access-date=February 1, 2020|ref={{harvid|The Atlanta Journal-Constitution}}}}
* {{Cite web|url=https://www.covnews.com/news/state/deals-inauguration-set-for-jan-12-in-atlanta/|title=Deal's inauguration set for Jan. 12 in Atlanta|date=December 1, 2014|website=[[The Covington News]]|access-date=January 30, 2020|ref={{harvid|The Covington News|2014}}}}
* {{Cite web|url=https://www.atlantamagazine.com/news-culture-articles/georgia-capitols-martin-luther-king-jr-statue-unveiled-54th-anniversary-dream/|title=Georgia Capitol's Martin Luther King Jr. statue unveiled on 54th anniversary of "I Have a Dream"|last=Wells|first=Myrydd|date=August 28, 2017|website=[[Atlanta (magazine)|Atlanta]]|language=en-US|access-date=January 30, 2020}}
* {{Cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/print-edition/2015/01/09/new-plaza-makes-more-space-for-liberty.html|title=New plaza makes more space for 'liberty'|last=Williams|first=Dave|date=January 9, 2015|website=[[Atlanta Business Chronicle]]|publisher=[[American City Business Journals]]|access-date=January 30, 2020}}
* {{Cite web|url=https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/downtown/henry-county-man-to-sculpt-mlk-statue-for-ga-capitol/85-129393187|title=Henry County man to sculpt MLK statue for Ga. Capitol|date=June 30, 2015|website=[[WXIA-TV]]|access-date=January 30, 2020|ref={{harvid|WXIA-TV|2015}}}}
{{refend}}


== Further reading ==
== Further reading ==
*{{cite web|last=Salzer|first=James|date=April 26, 2014|title=Remake of Georgia state Capitol grounds largest since Jimmy Carter|url=https://www.ajc.com/news/remake-georgia-state-capitol-grounds-largest-since-jimmy-carter/h2lhFUNii4Z2HgizNEY1BJ/|website=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]|publisher=[[Cox Enterprises]]|language=en|url-status=live|access-date=January 30, 2020}}
* {{cite web|last=Salzer|first=James|date=April 26, 2014|title=Remake of Georgia state Capitol grounds largest since Jimmy Carter|url=https://www.ajc.com/news/remake-georgia-state-capitol-grounds-largest-since-jimmy-carter/h2lhFUNii4Z2HgizNEY1BJ/|website=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]|publisher=[[Cox Enterprises]]|language=en|access-date=January 30, 2020}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
* {{Commons category-inline|Liberty Plaza, Atlanta}}
* {{Commons category-inline|Liberty Plaza, Atlanta}}
*{{Official website|https://gba.georgia.gov/liberty-plaza}}


{{Atlanta parks}}
{{Atlanta landmarks}}
{{Atlanta landmarks}}

[[Category:Parks in Atlanta]]
[[Category:Parks in Atlanta]]

Latest revision as of 02:39, 21 June 2024

33°44′55″N 84°23′14″W / 33.7485°N 84.3871°W / 33.7485; -84.3871

Liberty Plaza, with the Georgia State Capitol in the background. (2015)

Liberty Plaza is a public plaza in downtown Atlanta, Georgia, adjacent to the Georgia State Capitol. Completed in 2015, the 2.2-acre plaza is capable of holding over 3,000 people and has hosted numerous political demonstrations in Atlanta.

History

[edit]

The idea of a public greenspace near the Georgia State Capitol dates back to 1910, when a tree-lined boulevard approaching the capitol was proposed.[1] This proposal, an example of the City Beautiful movement, was made by Atlanta-based architect Haralson Bleckley and would have seen the Gulch capped by a broad civic plaza extending from the Capitol to Terminal Station.[2] This "Bleckley Plaza Plan" was rejected in 1916, and while it was revived in 1923, 1927, and 1930, all revivals were ultimately also rejected.[3] Other proposals made in 1927, 1932, and 1944 called for a square plaza to be built between the Capitol and Atlanta City Hall, but like the previous proposals, these never came to fruition.[4] Because of the lack of a plaza near the Capitol, most political demonstrations and inaugurations on the Capitol grounds were held near the western entrance of the Capitol on Washington Street, which often caused the road to be closed.[5][6] Speaking of the lack of a public plaza near the Capitol in 2014, former member of the Georgia State Senate George Hooks said, "Our Capitol has probably the smallest amount of green space of any Capitol I know of in the country.”[1]

Modern era

[edit]

In 2008, Steve Fanczi (Deputy Executive Director of the Georgia Building Authority) developed and proposed plans for a public plaza to the east of the State Capitol called "Liberty Plaza".[7] The plans were finally approved in the Fall of 2013 by the Governing Board of the Georgia Building Authority, with a cost of $4.4 million that was raised through the selling of surplus government property.[1] With designs by architectural firm Stevens & Wilkinson, work on the plaza began on June 5, 2014 with the demolition of a 60-year-old parking garage just east of the Capitol.[1][8][9] Completed in 2015, the 2.2-acre public plaza includes an 8,000-square-foot grass lawn and is capable of holding over 3,000 people.[1][10][11] While Governor Nathan Deal had originally intended for his inauguration to be held at the newly constructed plaza on January 12, 2015,[12][13] bad weather forced the ceremony to take place inside the Capitol.[14] Several days later on January 16, Deal officially dedicated the plaza.[9][15] Deal also pledged that a statue of Martin Luther King Jr. would be constructed on the plaza.[9][16]

Demonstration venue

[edit]

Notable demonstrations that have occurred at the plaza include the March for Our Lives in 2018, a climate strike in September 2019, and the 2020 Georgia March for Life.[17][18][19][20]

Controversy

[edit]

In 2018, a Federal lawsuit was filed by organizers of the March for Our Lives alleging that the requests process for holding a protest on the grounds was unconstitutional. The process required any event held after normal business hours on the grounds to be sponsored by a Constitutional officer of the state, which the organizers stated was a violation of their First Amendment rights. While the organizers were initially unable to receive a sponsorship from any of the Constitutional officers (who at the time, they pointed out, were all Republicans), Governor Nathan Deal eventually agreed to sponsor the protest.[21][22][23] In response to this incident, the ACLU of Georgia sent a letter to the Georgia Building Authority (which operates the plaza) urging them to amend their policies regarding permits for holding political rallies and protests at the location.[24]

Statues and reproductions

[edit]

The plaza houses model reproductions of the Liberty Bell and the Statue of Liberty that were previously held elsewhere on the Capitol grounds.[15][25] Surrounding the Liberty Bell is a ring of 13 state flags from the original Thirteen Colonies, as well as the U.S. flag and Liberty Plaza flag.[26][27] A statue of Martin Luther King Jr. overlooking the plaza was unveiled on August 28, 2017, the 54th anniversary of King's I Have a Dream speech.[28][29]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e Salzer 2014a.
  2. ^ Morrison 2019, p. 45.
  3. ^ Lands 2009, p. 68.
  4. ^ The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
  5. ^ Salzer 2014b.
  6. ^ Williams 2015.
  7. ^ Georgia Building Authority 2016.
  8. ^ The Atlanta Journal-Constitution 2014.
  9. ^ a b c Kelley 2015.
  10. ^ Blau 2016.
  11. ^ Salzer 2016.
  12. ^ The Covington News 2014.
  13. ^ Salzer 2015.
  14. ^ Bluestein 2015a.
  15. ^ a b Bluestein 2015b.
  16. ^ WXIA-TV 2015.
  17. ^ Martinez 2018.
  18. ^ Ikeda 2019.
  19. ^ Christian News Wire 2020.
  20. ^ Pronechen 2020.
  21. ^ Bluestein 2018a.
  22. ^ Bluestein 2018b.
  23. ^ Galloway 2018.
  24. ^ American Civil Liberties Union 2018.
  25. ^ Georgia Building Authority.
  26. ^ Johnston 2015.
  27. ^ Taylor 2020.
  28. ^ Bluestein 2017.
  29. ^ Wells 2017.

Bibliography

[edit]

Further reading

[edit]
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Liberty_Plaza_(Atlanta)&oldid=1230166390"