Birmingham ‘Black Lives Matter’ protests proceed in defiance of private property rights, rule of law

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December 19, 2014

PHOTO: #BlackLivesMatter protesters at the entrance to The Summit off Hwy. 280 http://t.co/IkSAhh004h pic.twitter.com/S3zrROaaiK

— ABC 33/40 News (@abc3340) December 19, 2014

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The group organizing a Birmingham “Black Lives Matter” protest and die in say they will proceed as planned, in spite of indicating earlier today that they may postpone.

A press release went out from the group this afternoon saying that demonstrations at The Summit and The Galleria would be postponed until they received an official permit from the city.

“After speaking with officials from both Hoover and Birmingham, we have decided to postpone our events pending a legal demonstration permit,” the release said. “According to State Laws, we cannot cause a disruption in the flow of traffic on HWY 280 or we are subject to arrest and prosecution.

“It has also been brought to our attention that we can be ‘trespassed’ from the property in both locations. Officials in both locations will have cameras to take pictures and ban us from the property forever. This is not the outcome we want for participants.

“We are working to coordinate a protest in front of each Police Department after the Holidays. Please stay tuned to the website for more details.”

But the group has now apparently reconsidered and has begun demonstrating, in spite of the warnings that they will be violating private property rights and state laws.

David Gespass, an attorney representing the group, told ABC 33/40 that they will do what it takes to get their message out.

Here’s how the group describes themselves and their purpose on their website, BlackLivesMatterBham.org:

#BlackLivesMatter is working for a world where Black lives are no longer systematically and intentionally targeted for demise. We affirm our contributions to this society, our humanity, and our resilience in the face of deadly oppression. We have put our sweat equity and love for Black people into creating a political project–taking the hashtag off of social media and into the streets. The call for Black lives to matter is a rallying cry for ALL Black lives striving for liberation.