Birmingham-based comedian and online skit performer Jermaine “Funnymaine” Johnson has been charged by Jefferson County prosecutors with inciting a riot.

The charge reportedly stems from comments made by Johnson at a protest on the afternoon of May 31, which preceded a night of violence and destruction in the Magic City.

Johnson’s attorney told Alabama Media Group that his client would be pleading not guilty to the charge, which is classified as a Class A misdemeanor.

The performer was one of the lead organizers of a protest in Birmingham’s Linn Park on May 31.

Skits performed by Johnson and shared on Facebook called “How Bama fans watched…” are the comedian’s most popular output, and how he came to be notable in the state.

Johnson’s words at the protest, which was initially peaceful, were captured on camera by WBRC.

The full clip can be viewed here.

“We need to tear something down tonight. They need to see Birmingham, the home of the civil rights movement, tear some sh-t down tonight,” Johnson can be seen shouting to the assembled crowd.

The most incendiary parts of Johnson’s speech and remarks made the following day regarding what took place were gathered into a sarcastically edited video by a Youtube user.

On the same night Johnson made those comments, Birmingham’s protests gave way to looting, assault and vandalism.

In a press conference the next morning, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin was asked about Johnson.

“We will be following up on any information people would like to share, about anyone that incited anything. And if in our power, we have evidence, we will bring charges,” Woodfin said at the time.

Johnson is currently out on bond as he awaits trial.

Henry Thornton is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can contact him by email: henry@new-yhn.local or on Twitter @HenryThornton95