Birmingham Pastor Calls For A State Of Emergency Over Murder Rate
Murders in Birmingham are “out of control.”
– Rev. Paul Hollman of Mount Mariah Missionary Baptist Church in Birmingham.
Birmingham ended in 2020 with 122 killings – up by 13%. Of that total, 15 killings were ruled justifiable, mirroring a trend of increase in many American cities.
The city began 2021 with three killings in three days – one per day.
Rev. Paul Hollman of Mount Mariah Missionary Baptist Church in Birmingham launched a billboard campaign last year to raise awareness after a member of his church was shot to death. This week he called for Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin to declare a state of emergency. Hollman spoke with WBHM’s Andrew Yeager.
What would a state of emergency mean?
When you call for a state of emergency you can get help from the federal government on down to the state government and county. Everybody can come together to bring resources, not just financial resources, to bear. When George Floyd was killed and the people started rioting and breaking in windows and things of that nature in Birmingham, he called for a state of emergency to help end that. So why can’t we use the same tool that he used to stop them from breaking in buildings to use to stop the murders that’s going on in our city?
In the city of Detroit they’re using every resource they have from the city to federal resources and it has helped there.
Mayor Randall Woodfin is recovering at home after being hospitalized with COVID-19, but have you had communication with the mayor’s office?
We sent the letter to the mayor’s office. They have not responded to me directly. I think they have spoken through their press conference, but I have not heard from them. We are praying for the mayor that he will get better. Just like they brought all the resources to bear to help with the COVID situation, bring all the resources to bear to help with the killings in Birmingham.
You backed these billboards last year to raise awareness of the issue. You’ve continued that in 2021. Is the message any different this year than it was last year?
Let me say this. We’ve been getting not only calls, but people have been unaware that all of this was happening. I believe by keeping people aware we can actually, this year, reduce the number of killings in Birmingham if we work together. We’re coming in love and peace because we care for our city and we care for our lives. This is the time for the whole city to work together.
Pastor Paul Hollman’s Letter To Mayor Randall Woodfin by Miranda Fulmore on Scribd
Editor’s Note: Corrected to indicate 15 of the killings from 2020 were ruled justifiable.
Drug deaths plummet among young Americans as fentanyl carnage eases
U.S. drug deaths dropped by roughly 40% last year among people under the age of 35. It's a welcome pivot for families and communities devastated by fentanyl.
Witness testifies about Sean Combs’ ‘hotel nights’: ‘I was repulsed’
The woman, who dated Combs, testified that she repeatedly told him she did not want to participate in the drug-fueled encounters with escorts he requested, but felt pressured to comply.
What happened when Lyndon Johnson federalized the National Guard
President Lyndon B. Johnson federalized the National Guard in 1965, calling on troops to protect civil rights advocates who were marching from Selma, Ala., to Montgomery.
Trump mobilizes Marines for duty in Los Angeles
U.S. Northern Command says the infantry battalion would be supporting the National Guard troops "who are protecting federal personnel and federal property in the greater Los Angeles area."
RFK Jr. boots all members of the CDC’s vaccine advisory committee
Health Secretary RFK Jr. has removed all 17 members of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. He says replacing them with new members will help restore 'public trust' in vaccines.
Justin Baldoni’s $400 million defamation suit against Blake Lively dismissed
Baldoni's $400 million lawsuit was in response to Lively accusing him of sexual harassment on the set of It Ends With Us.
