The Birmingham News: About 2,200 people filled the sanctuary at 16th Street Baptist Church and overflowed outside to protest Alabama's tough new law targeting illegal immigrants.
The rally, part of the One Family One Alabama national movement to overturn the law, featured nearly two dozen speakers. Speeches were translated into Spanish or English -- depending on the speaker -- for the multi-lingual audience.
Speakers included members of Congress who came to Birmingham today for an ad-hoc hearing on the law, as well as local politicians, activists and community leaders.
The racially and ethnically diverse crowd was enthusiastic, occasionally breaking into the chant "Who is Alabama? We are Alabama" in English and Spanish. A call for applause from people coming from different cities in Alabama showed participation from across the state.
Comparisons between the civil rights movement of the 1960s and the current effort to overturn the Alabama law targeting illegal immigrants were frequent among speakers from Birmingham.
"Now begins a new chapter in this war," said U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, who represents Alabama's 7th District.
Mayor William Bell recalled the city's own struggle to overcome its racist past.
"I am here to tell you that just as we fought in the past, we will fight now to overcome this injustice," he said, to thunderous applause.
Roderick Royal, the Birmingham City Council president, also made references to the civil rights struggles for black equality. He vowed to help get rid of HB56, and called out the governor and two legislators who introduced the bill.
"We will say 'No' to Robert Bentley," Royal said. "We will say 'No' to Scott Beason. We will say 'No' to (Micky) Hammond. And we will say 'No' to every reincarnated George Wallace in the state of Alabama."
Sewell said immigration is a federal issue, and called for Congress to pass a new comprehensive immigration law.
Several people who said they entered the United States illegally told the crowd about their personal struggles, efforts to participate in society and fears for the future and anger about Alabama's new law.
"I pay taxes," one said. "I follow the law. ... I'm here to ask you for help to stop this law. My friends have been arrested for no reason, just because they're Hispanic."
Parts of 16th Street North and Sixth Avenue were closed to traffic and rally organizers set up a large screen and speakers to broadcast the speeches outside the church.
State Rep. Merika Coleman, D-Birmingham, started the rally by calling for the law to be repealed and noted the level of opposition to the law.
"We are the majority," she said, comparing the law's opponents with its proponents. "They are the extremists."
The 16th Street Baptist Church became a touchstone in the civil rights movement of the 1960s when four girls were killed there in a racist bombing.
The rally, part of the One Family One Alabama national movement to overturn the law, featured nearly two dozen speakers. Speeches were translated into Spanish or English -- depending on the speaker -- for the multi-lingual audience.
Speakers included members of Congress who came to Birmingham today for an ad-hoc hearing on the law, as well as local politicians, activists and community leaders.
The racially and ethnically diverse crowd was enthusiastic, occasionally breaking into the chant "Who is Alabama? We are Alabama" in English and Spanish. A call for applause from people coming from different cities in Alabama showed participation from across the state.
Comparisons between the civil rights movement of the 1960s and the current effort to overturn the Alabama law targeting illegal immigrants were frequent among speakers from Birmingham.
"Now begins a new chapter in this war," said U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, who represents Alabama's 7th District.
Mayor William Bell recalled the city's own struggle to overcome its racist past.
"I am here to tell you that just as we fought in the past, we will fight now to overcome this injustice," he said, to thunderous applause.
Roderick Royal, the Birmingham City Council president, also made references to the civil rights struggles for black equality. He vowed to help get rid of HB56, and called out the governor and two legislators who introduced the bill.
"We will say 'No' to Robert Bentley," Royal said. "We will say 'No' to Scott Beason. We will say 'No' to (Micky) Hammond. And we will say 'No' to every reincarnated George Wallace in the state of Alabama."
Sewell said immigration is a federal issue, and called for Congress to pass a new comprehensive immigration law.
Several people who said they entered the United States illegally told the crowd about their personal struggles, efforts to participate in society and fears for the future and anger about Alabama's new law.
"I pay taxes," one said. "I follow the law. ... I'm here to ask you for help to stop this law. My friends have been arrested for no reason, just because they're Hispanic."
Parts of 16th Street North and Sixth Avenue were closed to traffic and rally organizers set up a large screen and speakers to broadcast the speeches outside the church.
State Rep. Merika Coleman, D-Birmingham, started the rally by calling for the law to be repealed and noted the level of opposition to the law.
"We are the majority," she said, comparing the law's opponents with its proponents. "They are the extremists."
The 16th Street Baptist Church became a touchstone in the civil rights movement of the 1960s when four girls were killed there in a racist bombing.
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