Tommy Tuberville ad attacks Doug Jones’ participation in rally that turned violent
With the election just a little over a week away, the Tommy Tuberville campaign released a commercial that highlights a recent Doug Jones rally that devolved into a riot that damaged historical monuments and buildings in the Birmingham area. The rally the ad references occurred in June, in Linn Park. The rally was after the shooting death of George Floyd. Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin and Doug Jones were speakers at the rally, and both men called for peace and non-violence. However, many buildings were damaged and a monument was defaced according to a BirminghamWatch article. Trussville, Alabama Sheriff Mike Hale is featured in the ad. He states, “Jones spoke at a liberal rally in Alabama that turned into a riot where a monument was destroyed and buildings were damaged. Doug Jones is undermining law enforcement, coddling dangerous criminals, and putting Alabama families at risk.” Jones responded to the ad in a Twitter post today. Jones stated, “We are facing a barrage of lies folks.@ttuberville is despararte and we are going to call them out starting now. I can always count on Lu to stand up for me and tell the truth. Everyone should hear this. Watch and please help us keep it on the air:” We are facing a barrage of lies folks. @ttuberville is despararte and we are going to call them out starting now. I can always count on Lu to stand up for me and tell the truth. Everyone should hear this. Watch and please help us keep it on the air:https://t.co/68JlD44ut1 https://t.co/34dqYikoAe — Doug Jones (@DougJones) October 26, 2020
Randall Woodfin and Steven Reed get national attention as members of “text group”
Two Alabama mayors were recently featured in a national news story. NBC News Today Show featured Mayors Randall Woodfin and Steven Reed as two of seven African American mayors who have found they can lean on each other in unique times. Woodfin told Today’s Craig Melvin, “All of us are dealing with the trifecta of a global health pandemic, an economic crisis, and racial unrest. All three of those things combined requires a deep moral compass to make tough decisions.” Along with Woodfin and Reed, Mayors Quinton Lucas of Kansas City, Missouri, Chokwe Lumumba of Jackson, Mississippi, Adrian Perkins of Shreveport, Louisiana, Frank Scott of Little Rock, Arkansas, and Levar Stoney of Richmond, Virginia were a part of the story. Each man has a unique story of what brought them into politics, but they are all able to connect on different levels and give each other advice on the extraordinary times they are leading. Melvin asked the mayors how the being young Black men influenced how they govern their cities’ police departments. “It takes a balance, and I think what I’ve tried to do is have a compassion for our communities. Have a compassion for our residents,” Reed responded. “You have to listen to all your constituents,” Woodfin said. “Because at the end of the day, although our job is mayor, the responsibility of public safety is ours. You have to listen to all your constituents,” Woodfin added. “Because at the end of the day, although our job is mayor, the responsibility of public safety is ours.” Woodfin was an attorney before turning to politics. He became mayor of Birmingham in 2017. Born and raised in Birmingham, he attended Morehouse College and went on to earn his J.D. degree from the Samford University Cumberland School of Law. Reed became the first African American mayor of Montgomery when he was sworn into office in 2019. Before he was mayor, he also worked as a financial analyst. In 2012 he was sworn in as a probate judge, the first African American in that position. All seven men gathered via video remote from their offices. They all agree that the friendship and discussion have helped them all tremendously. “We don’t have to put up the proverbial face with each other,” Scott remarked. “And we can trust one another.” http://https://www.today.com/video/7-black-mayors-form-a-group-text-to-help-each-other-face-challenges-91974213718
Birmingham bans use of chokeholds by police
Mayor Randall Woodfin also issued new guidelines that say city police now have a duty to intervene anytime they see a fellow officer using excessive force.
Black Lives Matter street painting complete at Birmingham Railroad Park
The BLACK LIVES MATTER street painting came together in less than two days.
Confederate monuments coming down around South, Birmingham amid protests
Birmingham took down the obelisk a day after protesters tried to remove the monument themselves.
Confederate monument in Birmingham partially removed overnight
Crews were expected to return later Tuesday to finish removing the monument.
Birmingham imposes curfew after night of violence, looting
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin appealed for calm in a city known for civil rights demonstrations that turned violent in the 1960s when segregationist officials used dogs and fire hoses on protesters.
Carlos Chaverst Jr. takes threats too far in texts to Bham Mayor Randall Woodfin
After a week of stoking fires and calling for looting and ignoring curfews, Birmingham organizer Carlos Chaverst Jr. may have finally crossed the thin line between First Amendment rights and unlawful threats. In a conversation with Mayor Randall Woodfin Chaverist used threatening language saying, “You wanna play games, BITCH we taking over city hall,” which finally landed him under the threat of law enforcement action, according to Chaverst Jr. himself. It began last week following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis by the hands of a police officer who has since been charged with manslaughter. As the days went on, Chaverst’s anger intensified, and he began to encourage his followers to protest and riot in nearby Birmingham municipalities, all the while staying out of Birmingham. When the threats were directed outside of Birmingham-proper, Woodfin didn’t seem to mind them, but on Sunday night Chaverst began to shift his focus back to the Magic City as he directed his followers to head to Linn Park to help tear down the Confederate Monument. It wasn’t long before it got word that Woodfin showed up and he began to suggest that they “take over City Hall.” “If Randall Woodfin wanted that statue down he would’ve BEEN took it down! Move him out the way!!” Chaverst posted to his Facebook followers. That’s when things began to take a turn for the worse. All day Monday, Chaverst took to his multiple Facebook pages to applaud the efforts of those in Birmingham. He began to text Woodfin that morning, and by 1:16 p.m. he texted the mayor, “You wanna play games, BITCH we taking over city hall.” And apparently that was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Woodfin clearly didn’t take that message very well as Chaverst came back to his Facebook page this evening posting, “ “Randall Woodfin claimed i threatened him. As a result he has directed the Birmingham Municipal Court to revoke and recall my warrants that were frivolously thrown on me. They are looking to hold me without a bond because I’m “dangerous to myself and other people.” My personal record will show otherwise. I’ve never been charged nor have committed a violent crime. He is using his political office for personal gain. The last text message isn’t a threat. It’s a political statement. By “taking over city hall,” implies i will win as mayor and the PEOPLE decide we take over city hall. It’s a shame i have to explain this. The same thing Woodfin is doing is exactly what Trump does.” Beyond Woodfin, Chaverst’s actions have garnered the attention of other Alabamians who are none too pleased That he essentially incited a riot and called for the removal of the monument in Linn Park. On Monday afternoon, a Change.org petition was started calling on Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall to formally charge Chaverst for “inciting a domestic terrorist hate crime by telling people to attack the homes of white residents in Hoover, AL and burn them down.” At the time of publishing, after less than 7 hours of being live, the petition had 3,450 signatures out of a goal of 5,000.
In reversal, Birmingham extends face mask ordinance to June 12
The council voted 7-0 in favor.
Birmingham’s mandatory face mask ordinance ends at midnight
Mayor Woodfin said the end of the requirement doesn’t mean citizens need to become complacent.
Alabama restaurants, bars, salons reopen with precautions
Dine-in restaurants, bars, salons and gyms could reopen Monday — with rules on crowd limits and cleaning.
Beaches, retail stores open in Alabama
Salons, barbershops, gyms, tattoo parlors, bars and on-site restaurant dining will remain closed.
