From The Tribune staff reports
BIRMINGHAM — The morning after rioters took to the streets of Birmingham, damaging buildings and looting stores, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin addressed the city and took questions from reporters.
The demonstrations in Birmingham began at Linn Park on Sunday, May 31, 2020. Protesters attempted several times to take down the Confederate monument in the park. Mayor Woodfin showed up on the scene and said he would work to have the monument removed. Woodfin said Birmingham Police were outnumbered at Linn Park and that the Chief of Police Patrick Smith made the decision for the officers to not engage with protesters.
After the protesters disbursed from Linn Park, riots broke out across the city and police were activated. Several buildings were broken into including the Wells Fargo, Alabama Power, Jim Burke Nissan and the ABC Store. Police responded to several scenes to try and break up the rioting. At least two journalists were attacked and injured while covering the breaking news. Monday morning, Woodfin addressed the city on a YouTube livestream. He asked anyone with information on who attacked the journalists to call police and share video.
“Too many people saw that and didn’t do anything,” Woodfin said. “That bothers me and it should bother you. I’m offended by it and if you’re not offended by it, you need to check yourself.”
There were 22 fires in the city on Sunday night. Five of those were commercial buildings. Fourteen buildings were burglarized. In all, Woodfin said 24 people were arrested.
Woodfin said the focus should be justice for George Floyd.
“George Floyd,” Woodfin said. “That is a name that we all know now. Not just in the city of Minneapolis, not just in the city of Birmingham, not just in America, but the world. George Floyd.”
Woodfin said the death of Floyd is striking a chord and bringing about anger and fear.
“Many of us have expressed that in ways I think that is very fair,” he said. “We’ve seen a lot of things across the nation none of us like.”
The mayor said the city shows its best side when people come together in solidarity.
“What started out with the best intentions turned into something that none of us deserve,” Woodfin continued.
Woodfin said he supports activism but not mobs and not civil unrest.
“Birmingham, this is not us,” Woodfin said. “This is not who we are. This is not how we taught the world how to protest. Violence, looting and chaos is not the road to reform.”
Woodfin has put into place a curfew of 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. until further notice. Exceptions will be made for essential workers.
“We are not playing,” the mayor added. “We will enforce the law.”
The city of Birmingham declared a state of emergency and has asked for support from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency but as of now, he said the National Guard will not be activated.