Fayette County

Mural painted 20+ years ago covered up … and some aren't happy

FAYETTE COUNTY, Ga. — A mural that was painted inside Tyrone Town Hall more than two decades ago is now stirring up controversy.

The painting inside the council chamber includes a rebel soldier holding a Confederate flag.

That mural is now covered by a long red curtain.

"But why cover it up? Why cover it up? I'm just speechless with all of this,” local resident Lisa Lytle said.

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"This was not about history, not about heritage. This is about doing the right thing,” State Representative Derrick Jackson said.

Jackson’s district includes Tyrone. At a council meeting two weeks ago, he took issue with the mural.

"We have a very diverse community. And we want to make sure we're sensitive to every person's input,” Mayor Eric Dial said.

Dial says right after the August 17 meeting, council came up with a plan to cover the mural, though Dial said he personally did not have a problem with the painting.

"I'm not offended by it. But that's not the point,” he said.

The mayor says he represents everyone in the community.

But Lytle, who owns a business a few doors down from town hall, says the town’s leaders are hiding what happened here over the last 200 years.

"I don't like it, just because that's part of our history,” Lytle said.

The next Tyrone Town Council meeting is September 7.