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Hundreds rally in Birmingham in support of immigrant rights

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alabamareflector.com – Alander Rocha – 2025-02-22 18:18:00

Hundreds rally in Birmingham in support of immigrant rights

by Alander Rocha, Alabama Reflector
February 22, 2025

BIRMINGHAM — Nine-year-old Callan Medina joined his parents and at least 500 immigrants and supporters in Birmingham Saturday for a simple reason. 

“They like it here,” Medina said.

The protest at Railroad Park in support of immigrants comes as the Trump administration is moving to rapidly deport those without legal status and as the Alabama Legislature has advanced several bills targeting immigrants in the 2025 session.

The bills would ban driver’s licenses from at least two states issued to migrants in the country without permission; ban transporting immigrants without status into Alabama and require law enforcement to collect DNA and fingerprints from detained migrants. 

Callan Medina holds a sign at a protest of anti-immigration bills in the Alabama Legislature on February 22, 2025 in Birmingham, Alabama. (Andi Rice for Alabama Reflector)

Another bill would allow law enforcement to hold someone they suspect is in the country without permission in custody for up to 48 hours until they verify their legal status with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Alabama’s immigrant communities are small compared to the rest of the country. According to the U.S. Census, only 4% of the state’s population is foreign-born. In the United States as a whole, 14.3% of the population was born in another country.

People started trickling in the park entrance around 1 p.m., but quickly picked up within an hour, with hundreds of people, who stood shoulder-to-shoulder so they could hear the speakers, showing up before the crowd marched up and down 1st Avenue in downtown Birmingham. As they marched, the crowd chanted, “Say it loud and say it clear, immigrants are welcomed here,” and “The people united, will never be divided.”

Isabella Roque, a 14-year-old from Birmingham, said she was here “to fight for everyone who doesn’t have a voice,” like her “tios” and “tias,” or uncles and aunts. She said she hopes people understand that different people have different stories, and that “you never know what every person is going through.”

“I hope that we make people realize what they’re doing is wrong, and that America was built off Black and brown [people], and that they realize basically what they’re doing is wrong,” Roque said.

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The protest was organized by young college students, who said they feel they not only have the feel like its up to them to organize because so many people in the community are “voiceless.”

Isabella Castro, a University of Alabama in Birmingham (UAB) student and one of the organizers said to the crowd that she stood in there “recognizing her privilege” of advocating, but also the privilege to work and go to school.

“Dignity and human rights are not only privileges granted to some, but they are a birthright to every individual,” she said.

Protesters march around Railroad Park during a rally against bills targeting immigrants on Feb. 22, 2025 in Birmingham, Alabama. About 500 people attended the rally. (Andi Rice for Alabama Reflector)

Miguel Luna, a University of Alabama in Birmingham (UAB) and one of the organizers, said in a speech that they were there to fight for all immigrants, from DACA students who may feel uncertainty about their status to those fleeing violence in their home countries, and to remind lawmakers that they are united and and their voice “can and will make a difference.”

Luna said he was there to “demand” leaders in Birmingham, Alabama and the U.S. recognize the contribution of the immigrant community and work towards creating a path to citizenship.

“[My parents] came here like so many others, with dreams of a better future, not just for themselves, but for their children, for their families and for the generations to come. They have worked tirelessly, tirelessly, contributing to this country in ways that are often unseen yet invaluable,” Luna said.

He added immigrants have built homes, raised families, paid taxes and “enriched our communities with their cultures, labor and their resilience.”

“Yet, despite their sacrifices, despite their contributions, immigrants in this country, our families, our friends, our neighbors, are constantly under attack, policies are being written not to uplift them, but to push them into the shadows,” Luna said.

Castro and Luna are also plaintiffs in the federal lawsuit against a state law barring public funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.

Juan Manuel Garcia, a Birmingham resident who immigrated with his wife from Mexico nearly 30 years ago, said that after President Donald Trump came into office, it’s been a different way of living each day.

“We try to live today because we don’t know what will happen tomorrow. So, everyone is very worried. It’s depressing. It’s sad. Too many emotions,” Garcia said in an interview, which was conducted in Spanish.

He said that they are here in search of the “American dream” and for a better future.

“If we’re here, it’s because we want a future for our families, especially our children, my wife,” he said.

This story was updated at 7:29 p.m. to correct Callan Medina’s first name.

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Alabama Reflector is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Alabama Reflector maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Brian Lyman for questions: info@alabamareflector.com.

The post Hundreds rally in Birmingham in support of immigrant rights appeared first on alabamareflector.com

News from the South - Alabama News Feed

Mobile Arena management CEO indicted on federal charges

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www.youtube.com – WKRG – 2025-07-10 16:19:56

SUMMARY: The CEO of Oak View Group (OVG), hired to manage Mobile’s new arena, was indicted on federal conspiracy charges linked to bid-rigging in another city. Despite this, Mobile officials say the arena project remains unaffected and on schedule for early 2027 completion. OVG secured a 22-year contract in February to manage the new Mobile Arena, the Mobile Convention Center, and the Saenger Theatre, receiving $400,000 annually for operations, maintenance, and event booking. The City of Mobile confirmed no bidding was involved in contract selection, and a local OVG team now oversees these venues.

The head of the company hired to manage the new Mobile Arena is facing federal charges.

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Mobile first responders bring home medals from World Police and Fire Games

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www.youtube.com – WKRG – 2025-07-09 22:19:42

SUMMARY: Mobile first responders excelled at the recent World Police and Fire Games in Birmingham, an Olympic-style event featuring over 60 sports with participants from 70+ countries. Mobile Police Officer Defferey Hollis won gold in the challenge ride and bronze in the slow ride, while Officer Josh Hart earned silver in the challenge ride, benefiting from local barricade-handling skills. Mobile Firefighter Collin Bryan placed fourth in the triathlon despite a broken foot sustained just weeks prior. The Games have been held biennially since 1985, uniting over 80,000 first responders worldwide. The team from Mobile aims for more victories at the next event in Perth, Australia.

At the World Police and Fire Games, first responders from all over the world competed in Olympic-style events. Several Mobile first responders represented the United States, bringing home medals.

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News from the South - Alabama News Feed

Pediatrician Discusses MMR Vaccine Amid High Measles Case Numbers | July 9, 2025 | News 19 at 6 p.m.

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www.youtube.com – WHNT News 19 – 2025-07-09 19:21:13

SUMMARY: Measles cases in the U.S. have surged to levels not seen since the 1990s, following increased vaccine skepticism after the COVID-19 pandemic. Pediatrician Dr. William Van Cleave emphasizes the MMR vaccine’s safety and effectiveness, noting two doses provide up to 96% protection. This year, children 19 and younger make up the majority of measles cases, with three reported deaths. Despite no cases in Alabama, neighboring states like Tennessee and Georgia have seen outbreaks. Concerns about vaccine side effects have grown, even influencing federal vaccine board changes. Dr. Van Cleave urges vaccination, especially as school increases exposure to illnesses.

Measles cases in the U.S. have reached a more than 30-year high

News 19 is North Alabama’s News Leader! We are the CBS affiliate in North Alabama and the Tennessee Valley since November 28, 1963.

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