Birmingham Activists Remember George Floyd One Year After His Death
A mural of George Floyd found in downtown Birmingham days after his death.
Community activists in Birmingham called for police reform at a vigil Tuesday evening as they marked the first anniversary of the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. A few dozen people gathered at Kelly Ingram Park to remember the life of Floyd and other Black people killed by police. Aside from police reform, speakers also called for resources to be directed away from traditional law enforcement operations.
“You can see people waking up,” Satura Dudley, executive director of the social justice group Cell A65, said. “I see young activists, including myself, waking up.”
Cell A65
Satura Dudley, Executive Director of Cell A65
Dudley, 21, called this past year revolutionary and said people of all races are now aware of racial injustice since Floyd’s death. She and members of Cell A65 led several demonstrations calling for justice after Floyd was murdered by former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin.
“This time last year, I was just coming to a protest, to come to a protest. And now, I’m helping lead a movement,” she said.
Travis Jackson, co-founder of Montgomery’s chapter of Black Lives Matter, said there’s more work to be done but, he said Floyd’s death has made an impact.
“Things have changed,” he said. “There are more woke people than ever towards systemic racism towards Black, indigenous and other communities of color but sadly, things are still the same.”
Birmingham political leaders noted Tuesday’s anniversary as well. Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin called for justice for Floyd and others who experienced police brutality. City Council President William Parker introduced a resolution related to the anniversary. It expressed “immense sorrow” at Floyd’s death.
Alabama to begin working with a consulting company that’s under criminal investigation
McKinsey & Company, an international consulting business, will help the state of Alabama develop a new strategic economic growth plan. The company is undertaking that project, while also dealing with a probe into whether it engaged in a criminal conspiracy.
‘Stupidity of politics’: Medicaid expansion effort dies in Mississippi
Mississippi lawmakers couldn’t come together to pass a bill that could have expanded Medicaid for thousands of residents.
This spiky-stemmed invasive grass is taking over Alabama
Classified as one of the worst weeds in the world, cogongrass aggressively crowds out native species and costs Alabama landowners tens of millions of dollars in lost revenue.
Gambling bill in doubt with three days left in the legislative session
Alabama lawmakers are coming down to the finish line for this year’s legislative session. Many bills await passage, but perhaps the biggest one up in the air is a lottery and gambling bill.
Pro-Palestinian demonstration draws counter-protest at University of Alabama
Students gathered demanding the school call for a permanent and immediate ceasefire and to push the school to sever ties with defense contractor Lockheed Martin.
A new Statehouse and related projects will cost about $400 million
The Alabama Legislative Council, a 20-member panel comprised of legislative leaders and their appointees, approved the construction of the new Statehouse last year. The panel was given an update on the project on Wednesday.
