ATLANTA (AP) — The Southern Christian Leadership Conference is lobbying state lawmakers to approve building a statue of Martin Luther King Jr. on the steps of the state Capitol.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (http://bit.ly/1hjGXJ4 ) reports state Rep. Tryone Brooks is leading the initiative and has already filed a bill for consideration.

The Rev. Joseph Lowery, former SCLC president and civil rights leader, says the statue should have been erected a long time ago.

In 2013, a statue of former lawmaker and publisher Tom Watson was removed from the Capitol steps. Some had criticized the statue's placement because they said Watson vilified Jews and blacks. His statue was relocated to a park across the street from the Capitol.

Brooks says the SCLC plans to fully fund the statue, and will not seek state funds.

__