Birmingham crowd joins ‘No Kings’ marchers: ‘They’re treating immigrants as garbage’
On Saturday, protesters in Birmingham took to the streets as part of the “No Kings” demonstration, a national response to President Donald Trump’s policies coinciding with his birthday military parade in Washington, D.C. The rally drew a diverse crowd, including first-time protester Curtis Hendrickson, 55, who expressed concerns over public health cuts and the potential for increased corruption due to reduced oversight.
Natalie Bennie, a board member of Alabama Equality, addressed the crowd, criticizing anti-trans rhetoric and arguing that societal issues stem from wealthy elites aiming to sow division. The peaceful march, which occurred just before the annual LGBTQ Pride parade, featured participants donning rainbow apparel and included speeches from various activists, one of whom condemned Israel’s actions against Palestinians.
The Birmingham event was one of 13 protests across Alabama and part of approximately 2,000 similar gatherings nationwide. While most protests remained peaceful, a demonstration in Mobile encountered violence when a protester was assaulted. Ben Spradlin, a property manager, voiced frustration over the erosion of democracy, citing federal intervention in local matters. Dimitry Sirbu, who recently moved from Los Angeles, declared that the U.S. was built on inclusivity, not exclusion, echoing the protest’s central theme: America doesn’t need kings. As the protests unfolded, sentiments reflected a broader apprehension about governance and civil rights under the current administration.
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