Crowds flood downtown Birmingham during ‘No Kings Day’ protest
Angelica McCain, who organized the event with Birmingham Indivisible, speaks to the crowd of protesters.
Crowds stretched across multiple city blocks through downtown Birmingham on Saturday evening to protest President Donald Trump. It was part of a day of protests around the country dubbed “No Kings Day”.
“The people united will never be divided,” protesters chanted. The crowd channeled singer Chappell Roan at one point.
“H-O-T-T-O-G-O, Donald Trump has got to go!” protesters sang.
“I’m here because the United States is quickly descending and has made it into fascism and we will not stand for that,” protester Jordan Price said.
Some participants waved American flags, others wore the flag. Many protesters wore t-shirts mocking Trump. A few donned colonial garb. Many signs emphasized that “no kings” theme of the day. Some signs were painted with crossed out crowns. One read, “1776 called and it wants its tyrant back.”
“No Kings!” Angelica McCain with Birmingham Indivisible called out across the crowd. She was met with cheering. “We the people of Alabama do not bow down to any king. We do not!”
Birmingham Indivisible co-organized the peaceful event with 50501, a grassroots, progressive political group founded to oppose Trump administration policies.
Melba Holloway said she showed up because she disagrees with Trump’s immigration policies.
“If Christians were actually living as Christians, we’d follow the red words that Jesus spoke,” Holloway said. “It has nothing to do with hate, turning away people, rounding people up, arresting them, getting rid of them, turning away those who don’t have as much as we do. We all matter. That’s why I’m here.”
Others, such as Simona Shirley, said Trump is exceeding his power.
“I’m here basically because my mom grew up in communism and fascism basically,” Shirley said. “And she told me that this is actually reminding her a lot of what she saw and experienced back then. And I really don’t want to experience that.”
Many marchers expressed concern over federal funding cuts to science and medical research, attacks on the LGBTQ plus community through anti-transgender executive orders and other Trump policies.
‘Not for sale’: massive protest in Copenhagen against Trump’s desire to acquire Greenland
Thousands of people rallied in Copenhagen to push back on President Trump's rhetoric that the U.S. should acquire Greenland.
Uganda’s longtime leader declared winner in disputed vote
Museveni claims victory in Uganda's contested election as opposition leader Bobi Wine goes into hiding amid chaos, violence and accusations of fraud.
Opinion: Remembering Ai, a remarkably intelligent chimpanzee
We remember Ai, a highly intelligent chimpanzee who lived at the Primate Research Institute of Kyoto University for most of her life, except the time she escaped and walked around campus.
The near death — and last-minute reprieve — of a trial for an HIV vaccine
A trial was about to launch for a vaccine that would ward off the HIV virus. It would be an incredible breakthrough. Then it looked as if it would be over before it started.
Bessemer data center developer to request rezoning for additional 900 acres
The city’s attorney informed council members of the request on Tuesday, warning that there may be media scrutiny.
Is RFK Jr.’s Administration for a Healthy America — AHA — in the works or not?
The Administration for a Healthy America is RFK Jr.'s plan to tackle chronic disease, addiction and other persistent problems. But so far it's not being set up like previous new agencies.
