From The Tribune staff reports
BIRMINGHAM — Birmingham’s curfew, which was intended to curtail violent protests, will end at midnight on Monday, June 8, 2020, Mayor Randall Woodfin announced on Monday morning.
The curfew had limited all but essential travel throughout the city from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. It was intended to limit the possibility of violent protests following looting and the burning of businesses on Sunday, June 1, 2020, during protests surrounding the killing of George Floyd.
“I want to thank the people of Birmingham for uniting and working together during this challenging time,” Woodfin said in a statement.
Birmingham’s decision to follow through with a curfew propelled numerous other local cities to follow suit. Jefferson County then followed with a blanket curfew that is expected to expire on June 9, 2020.
Jefferson County Commission President Jimmie Stephens had previously said the county’s public safety curfew was enacted in response to the damage and destruction of businesses as part of the national fallout of the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
“This commission condemns the police brutality that led to the death of George Floyd,” Stephens said. “We understand the outrage and the rage of many individuals and we share that.”
With Jefferson County in mind, Stephens said citizens should stand strong and avoid repeating a violent history.
“This is a cornerstone of civil rights in the country and we deserve better than what we got the other night,” Stephens added. “We have fought those battles long ago and there is no clear enemy to see. When you throw Molotov cocktails and you break windows, you are not honoring Mr. Floyd.”