Crowds in Railroad Park protest Trump administration for ‘No Kings’ day
Protesters filled Railroad Park in Birmingham on Saturday afternoon to protest recent actions by the Trump administration. Speakers railed against deportations, along with federal staff and funding cuts.
The event was part of protests across the country under a theme of “No Kings in America.” The protests, organized by the 50501 movement, was held on April 19, the 250th anniversary of the battle of Lexington and Concord, an early fight in the Revolutionary War.
Protestors chanted “Down, down with mass deportations. Up, up with liberation.”
They sang along to a cover of “This Land is your Land” by Woody Guthrie, and booed policy moves made by the Trump administration. Many had handmade signs opposing a “King” of the U.S.A and supporting continued democracy. Some carried American and LGBTQ+ flags. One protester placed an upside down American flag beside the stage.
One attendee, Mary Bentley, dressed up in an American Revolutionary War uniform, in keeping with the theme of the day.

“Everything (Trump) does, everything he’s doing is destroying our country and it’s hurting people,” Bentley said.
She added that she was a Republican for decades but changed her vote in 2020 and 2024 to oppose Trump.
Several attendees, including Carol Binder, worry that the president is behaving like a dictator and ignoring the law.
“I’m here today to protect and save our democracy,” Binder said. “What’s been going on under this administration is frightening.”
Marilyn Williams, was not optimistic that the protest would change anything on a federal level. But she said it would show others in the country that they are not alone in being concerned. She added that people should keep speaking out and trying to reach their representatives.
“I never thought that I would ever be in fear of losing the democracy of my country,” Williams said. “But we are today.”
Russian volcano erupts days after monster quake shakes region
The volcano may have been primed to erupt before the magnitude 8.8 quake pushed it over the edge.
Canada wildfires cause poor air quality in the midwest and northeast U.S.
Health officials from Minnesota to Maine have issued alerts warning of poor air quality from wildfires burning in Canada. People are advised to limit outdoor exposure.
Pope Leo tells 1 million Catholic youths they are sign ‘different world is possible’
In his closing blessing for the Jubilee of Youth, Leo remembered the young people of Gaza and Ukraine and other countries "bloodied by war" who could not join their celebration.
Senate confirms ex-Fox News host Pirro as top federal prosecutor for nation’s capital
The Senate confirmed ex-Fox News host Jeanine Pirro as top federal prosecutor for the nation's capital, after President Trump withdrew his controversial first pick, conservative activist Ed Martin Jr.
‘Horrific’ relationships: Alison Brie and Dave Franco explore codependency in their movie
NPR's Ayesha Rascoe speaks with Alison Brie and Dave Franco, who star in the new horror film, 'Together.'
Who’s the top dog? Wave-riding canines compete in the World Dog Surfing Championships
Pooches competed against similarly sized peers for a chance to appear in the finals. Additional heats featured multiple dogs surfing tandem or riding with people.