Protests In Birmingham Result In Vandalism, Looting

BIRMINGHAM, AL — What started Sunday as a rally to observe victims of police brutality ended with protests over the death of George Floyd that resulted in vandalism, looting and multiple arrests.

Birmingham mayor Randall Woodfin participated in the organized rally, "Birmingham, the World is Watching," at Kelly Ingram Park downtown. The rally itself, according to media outlets on the scene, was peaceful and non-violent.

However, protests elsewhere in the city and surrounding communities spilled over into Birmingham which resulted in a much less peaceful outcome, including an attempt to tear down the Confederate monument in Linn Park that has caused controversy in recent years.

Woodfin was able to get the protesters in Linn Park to leave, saying he would "finish the job" by Tuesday, but added that if the crowd continued to vandalize the monument, police would get involved, according to an al.com report.

"I understand the frustration and the anger that you have,” he said. “Allow me to finish the job for you."

Meanwhile, protesters throughout the city damaged the Regions Harbert Plaza, the Alabama Power Museum, Alabama Theatre and other buildings downtown. A Facebook video of some of the damage can be seen here.

Woodfin addressed the protesters in a public statement, saying, "Many of you all have a right to be very angry right now. You have a right to be sad," Woodfin said. "You don’t have a right to walk around busting windows, setting things on fire. Damaging people’s property. Looting. Taking things that don’t belong to you. That makes you a hijacker of a peaceful rally."

Woodfin made his plea via Facebook Sunday night:

Arrests were made in Hoover Sunday night during protests, with more than 20 people taken into custody after a protest blocked traffic on Highway 31.