Rename Confederate Avenue?

ATLANTA - A petition is making its way around Atlanta after this weekend’s deadly violent attack in Charlottesville.

As of Tuesday evening, more than 6,700 people had signed the petition calling for the mayor of Atlanta to rename Confederate Avenue in southeast Atlanta. Mayor Kasim Reed said he will consider it.

Marky Nicholas lives on Confederate Avenue and said the name of the street is not the problem.

"I do not think the name should change, I mean it’s been this way forever," said resident, Marky Nicholas.  "All of the sudden people seeing things and they want to change the name of streets and the names of things that have been around and I don't think that is going to change people, we should change the people first then change the name of the street."

The organizer of the petition said, "We can't normalize hate anymore."  He went on to say, "It's absurd for there to be a street in our city named after racist secessionists. It’s time to change it"

Kate Drummond lives off Confederate Avenue, she signed the petition.

"We do not need to keep these antiquated symbols of hatred," said resident Kate Drummond.

"If the street changes, good, that going to mean we got a different street, but it’s going to be the same street, just a different name," said 40-year resident, Shun Junn.

In a statement to FOX 5, Mayor Reed said: "I will carefully consider these petitions, because symbols matter, and as those espousing hate-filled ideologies grow bolder, we must grow stronger in defense of our values."

The mayor also said Atlanta stands with Charlottesville and he stands with their mayor and other leaders who denounced violence and white supremacy.