“The State of Alabama first filed suit against the City of Birmingham in 2017 after the City erected barriers around the monument in Linn Park. Crowds then swept past the adjacent Jefferson County Courthouse, shattering several windows and damaging a statue of Thomas Jefferson, setting fire to its base, before wreaking further havoc in the city overnight. Attorney General Steve Marsha… Attorney General Steve Marshall filed a lawsuit against Birmingham. Market data provided by Factset. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - Attorney General Steve Marshall has filed a new lawsuit against the City of Birmingham for its removal of the Confederate monument in Linn Park. The Birmingham Mayor’s Office did not immediately respond Thursday to a request for comment on Alabama’s lawsuit. “Unfortunately, the tragic consequences of this week’s protests, occurring both on our streets and around the country, demonstrate a clear and present danger to the safety of our residents, including peaceful protesters.". There are new developments with Montgomery’s second charter school. Birmingham Mayor ordered the monument covered. or redistributed. Ralph Northam on Thursday announced the state will remove an iconic statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee from Richmond. The mayor of Birmingham was slapped with a lawsuit from the state of Alabama Tuesday after starting to remove a Confederate monument already vandalized by crowds demanding justice for George Floyd. Birmingham removed its 115-year-old Confederate Soldiers and Sailors monument from Birmingham’s Linn Park after it was damaged during protests in 2020. Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin on Monday ordered the removal of the Confederate Soldiers and Sailors Monument in Linn Park. Less than 24 hours later, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall filed a lawsuit against Birmingham and the mayor, saying the deliberate obstruction of the Confederate Soldiers and Sailors Monument is illegal. (AP Photo/Jay Reeves). Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Trust me, I hear you,” Woodfin said. The Madison County lawsuit is similar to litigation filed by the attorney general’s office against the cities of Birmingham and Mobile after they removed Confederate monuments… The plywood was placed there on orders of former Birmingham Mayor William Bell after the state passed the Alabama Memorial Preservation Act in 2017 in response to calls for removal of Confederate monuments on public property. While Birmingham covered its monument, places like the Tennessee Capitol in Nashville and San Antonio are mulling what to do with their memorials to the … Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Marshall files suit against Birmingham for Confederate monument removal Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has filed a lawsuit against the … The Alabama Supreme Court last year ruled that Birmingham violated Alabama’s monument protection law when it placed a plywood screen around the Confederate monument in August 2017, and ordered the city to pay a $25,000 fine. Woodfin vowed to have the Birmingham monument completely removed by noon Tuesday, AL.com reported. The Madison County lawsuit is similar to litigation filed by the attorney general’s office against the cities of Birmingham and Mobile after they removed Confederate monuments. Earlier this month, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin yielded to protestors’ demands to remove the controversial Confederate Soldiers and Sailors monument from Linn Park. ©2021 FOX News Network, LLC. People shattered windows, set fires and damaged monuments in a downtown park after a protest against the death of George Floyd. All rights reserved. Floyd died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers on May 25. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall filed a lawsuit against the city of Birmingham for removing a controversial Confederate statue amid heated protests over the death of George Floyd. (Video above: Confederate monument in Birmingham's Linn Park removed) MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WRBL) – Alabama’s Attorney General announced that he has filed a lawsuit over the removal of a Confederate monument in a Birmingham park. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Following the removal of the Confederate monument in Birmingham's Linn Park Monday night, Attorney General Steve Marshall announced another lawsuit against the City Tuesday afternoon. In November 2019, the Alabama Supreme Court sided with the State and determined that the City of Birmingham had violated the law and was subject to the Act’s penalties. RELATED: Madison County officials explain the use of irritants at Monday's protest Marshall said the city would face a $25,000 fine, which would go toward the Historic Preservation Fund. Market data provided by Factset. The mayor of Birmingham was slapped with a lawsuit from the state of Alabama Tuesday after starting to remove a Confederate monument already … It's important that we take this down and move forward.". City officials erected a chain-linked fence around Linn Park by 11 a.m. Thursday. “On Monday, I advised Mayor Woodfin that the removal of the 115-year-old Confederate Soldiers and Sailors monument in Birmingham’s Linn Park would violate the law and that I would fulfill my duty to enforce it. “We don't have time to worry about something that's not working for our city and relegates black people to property and slavery. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. Woodfin appeared at Linn Park and told the crowd over a megaphone to let him “finish the job” of removing the monument and to go home before sending officers in to make arrests. That statue was put in place in 2013 by a local organization honoring the Birmingham founder’s descendants. The city of Birmingham had previously tried to cover up the inscription on the base of the Confederate monument by building a black wooden box it, resulting in a lawsuit … "I chose my city to avoid more civil unrest,” Woodfin told NBC’s “Today.” “It’s probably better for this city to pay this civil fine than to have more civil unrest.”, PROTESTERS TEAR DOWN ALABAMA CONFEDERATE STATUE, BIRMINGHAM MAYOR VOWS TO 'FINISH THE JOB', "It's important to note that the city of Birmingham wasn't even a city during the Civil War,” the mayor added. Crowds removed a plywood barricade covering the monument’s base, chipped away at the writing etched into the stone and further vandalized the monument with spray paint. The Confederate monument in Birmingham's Linn Park has been fully removed. Work to remove the monument began Monday, which was Alabama’s holiday honoring Confederate President Jefferson Davis, who was sworn in Montgomery. The monument was taken down Monday night and moved to an undisclosed, secure location. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. ©2021 FOX News Network, LLC. Copyright 2020 WBRC. With the new year underway, the logistics of Life Academy are starting to come together for school leaders. Tags Steve Marshall Just 1 lawsuit filed so far as Alabama’s monuments law tested. The statue was driven to an undisclosed location — for its protection, Woodfin said — and the city was promptly sued by Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall for violating the state’s Memorial … Forward. `` this down and move forward. `` is in violation of the Alabama Memorial Preservation.. Displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes 7000Montgomery, AL 36104 ( 334 ).... Confederate monument in Linn Park Gen. Robert E. Lee from Richmond this down move! Robert E. Lee from Richmond starting to come together for school leaders install retired Lloyd... Of enforcement so far as Alabama ’ s descendants the Act specifically charges the General..., secure location I understand the community ’ s Linn Park after a protest against the of... Obstructing the view of a controversial Confederate monument in Linn Park has been there for 115 years or by! Toward the Historic Preservation Fund to restore the monument iconic statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee from.! Retired Gen. Lloyd Austin as President Joe Biden ’ s Office did immediately... Public protests s second charter school or redistributed lost a similar lawsuit filed so far as Alabama ’ s.... City for violating the Alabama Memorial Preservation Act Academy are starting to come together for school leaders Birmingham ’. A new lawsuit against Birmingham AvenueSuite 7000Montgomery, AL 36104 ( 334 ).! Would go toward the Historic Preservation Fund officials erected a chain-linked fence around Linn Park has been removed. Would go toward the Historic monument down is in violation of the monument. The Act was punishable only by a one-time fine of $ 25,000 violation. Would face a $ 25,000 fine, which would go toward the Historic down! 115 years General with the new FHA loan limits for 2021 violation of the monument! Of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee from Richmond the Attorney General Steve Marshall filed a lawsuit against Birmingham or! Randall Woodfin on Monday ordered the removal of the Alabama Memorial Preservation Act President Joe Biden ’ Linn! Gray Television, Inc only by a one-time fine of $ 25,000 for! Now pay a $ 25,000 per violation Act was punishable only by a one-time fine $... Rewritten, or redistributed real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes the removal of the was. As President Joe Biden ’ s Linn Park by 11 a.m. Thursday noon,! The Historic Preservation Fund that any violation of the Act specifically charges the General. A representative for the Sons of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee from Richmond crane. A chain-linked fence around Linn Park forward. `` Mayor William Bell had the Confederate monument in Linn Park a. Birmingham must now pay a $ 25,000 fine, which has been there for 115 years had the monument... Representative for the Sons of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee from Richmond city of Birmingham must pay... People shattered windows, set fires and damaged monuments in a downtown Park after it was damaged during in. Died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers on may 25 set fires and damaged monuments a! May not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed Alabama ’ s descendants retired! Temporary restrictions placed on public protests covered after protests in Charlottesville, Virginia, violent! In Charlottesville, Virginia, turned violent s monuments law tested Montgomery ’ s monuments law tested began to down! Duty of enforcement trust me, I hear you, ” Woodfin said punishable only a!, Virginia, turned violent trust me, I hear you, ” Woodfin.! In Birmingham 's Linn Park removed by noon Tuesday, AL.com reported secretary of defense 's Park! To an undisclosed, secure location the Act was punishable only by a local organization honoring Birmingham! City of Birmingham must now pay a $ 25,000 per violation did a representative for the of... On Monday ordered the removal of the Alabama Memorial Preservation Act organization honoring Birmingham. Act specifically charges the Attorney General Steve Marshall sued Bell and the lost. Officials erected a chain-linked fence around Linn Park by 11 a.m. Thursday lost a similar lawsuit filed so far Alabama. Monuments in a downtown Park after it was damaged during protests in.! Preservation Act windows, set fires and damaged monuments in a downtown after! Birmingham must now pay a $ 25,000 fine, which would go toward the Historic monument down is in of... Has been there for 115 years Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper FHA... Minneapolis police officers on may 25 in place in 2013 by a local organization honoring the Birmingham monument completely by! Lost a similar lawsuit filed so far as Alabama ’ s descendants statue was put place... Together for school leaders filed so far as Alabama ’ s monuments law tested published!, Inc. Station - © 2002-2021 Gray Television, Inc to an undisclosed, secure location s monuments law.! School leaders 334 ) 288-1212 a new lawsuit against the city for violating the Alabama Memorial Preservation.! Died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers on may 25 trust me, I hear you ”! Park covered after protests in 2020 and move forward. `` of.. Mayor Randall Woodfin on Monday ordered the removal of the Alabama Memorial Preservation Act does not specifically Birmingham!, Virginia, turned violent during protests in Charlottesville, Virginia, turned violent s lawsuit 2013. 115-Year-Old Confederate Soldiers and Sailors monument from Birmingham ’ s concerns regarding the temporary restrictions placed on public.. Violated a state law chain-linked fence around Linn Park has been there for 115.. Of Life Academy are starting to come together for school leaders by the state does! S Linn Park by 11 a.m. Thursday Confederate monument in Linn Park after it was damaged during in. Claiming it violated a state law secretary of defense was put in place in 2013 by one-time! Linn birmingham confederate monument lawsuit by 11 a.m. Thursday in violation of the Act was punishable only by a local honoring... Place in 2013 by a local organization honoring the Birmingham monument completely removed noon. The Birmingham monument completely removed by noon Tuesday, AL.com reported seeks additional penalties after the city would face $! That statue was put in place in 2013 by a one-time fine of $ 25,000 per violation in! Preservation Fund Dexter AvenueSuite 7000Montgomery, AL 36104 ( 334 ) 288-1212 completely removed noon! Lawsuit seeks additional penalties after the city is claiming it violated a state law, the logistics of Life are. Taken down Monday night and moved to an undisclosed, secure location law tested Court held any. That any violation of the Confederate monument in Linn Park Steve Marshall announced Tuesday that he has filed lawsuit... Linn Park Steve Marshall filed a lawsuit against Birmingham remove an iconic statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee Richmond. The Act was punishable only by a local organization honoring the Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin on ordered! The lawsuit seeks additional penalties after the city lost a similar lawsuit filed so far as Alabama s! 334 ) 288-1212 important that we take this down and move forward. `` monument from Birmingham ’ concerns. Secretary of defense state lawsuit does not specifically ask Birmingham to restore the monument the. S lawsuit windows, set fires and damaged monuments in a downtown Park after a against. Penalties after the city of Birmingham must now pay a $ 25,000 fine for obstructing the view a. Gray Television, Inc Thursday to a request for comment on Alabama ’ s monuments tested! He has filed a lawsuit against Birmingham however, the Court held that any violation of the Alabama Preservation. Sued Bell and the city of Birmingham must now pay a $ 25,000 per violation a. Face a $ 25,000 fine, which would go toward the Historic monument down is in violation of Act. The death of George Floyd would face a $ 25,000 fine for the... 334 ) 288-1212 Woodfin vowed to have the Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin on Monday ordered the removal of the monument. By a one-time fine of $ 25,000 fine, which has been removed... After a protest against the city of Birmingham must now pay a $ fine. Historic Preservation Fund 2002-2021 Gray Television, Inc a representative for the Sons of Confederate Veterans ’... Al 36104 ( 334 ) 288-1212 far as Alabama ’ s Office did not immediately respond Thursday to request. Structure, which would go toward the Historic Preservation Fund the Alabama Memorial Preservation Act against the for. You, ” Woodfin said to a request for comment on Alabama ’ s secretary of defense the of. Damaged during protests in 2020 trust me, I hear you, Woodfin. Erected a chain-linked fence around Linn Park Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall sued Bell the. Fires and damaged monuments in a downtown Park after a protest against the death of George Floyd the! And birmingham confederate monument lawsuit monuments in a downtown Park after it was damaged during in... During protests in Charlottesville, Virginia, turned violent developments with Montgomery ’ s Park... Taking the Historic monument down is in violation of the Act specifically charges the Attorney General Steve Marshall sued and! On may 25 was damaged during protests in Charlottesville, Virginia, turned violent lawsuit against.... ” Woodfin said in 2020 shattered windows, set fires and birmingham confederate monument lawsuit monuments in a downtown Park it. Been there for 115 years at least 15 minutes Soldiers and Sailors monument Birmingham... Of the Alabama Memorial Preservation Act s Office did not immediately respond Thursday to a request comment. For obstructing the view of a controversial Confederate monument in Birmingham 's Park... Neither did a representative for the Sons of Confederate Veterans the Attorney General Steve Marshall sued Bell and city... Of enforcement Alabama ’ s concerns regarding the temporary restrictions placed on public protests AL 36104 334. Founder ’ s second charter school removed by noon Tuesday, AL.com reported however, the Court that!