According to a Thursday report by The Cullman Tribune, a socialist coalition based out of Birmingham has popped up in Cullman County pushing “police abolition” and “anti-capitalism,” among other agenda items.

However, the local sheriff appears to be leading the defense of law and order in the county, which is located north of Birmingham along I-65.

Here is what The Cullman Tribune reported on the local “Defund the Police” movement:

In Cullman County last week, a new group appeared, calling itself the “Committee for a Better Cullman.” The group, which defines itself as “a collaborative action committee of Democratic Socialists of America – Birmingham and Party for Socialism and Liberation – Birmingham,” says on its Facebook page, “We stand firm on the ideas of anti-racism, police abolition, anti-capitalism and socialism.”

The group is decidedly anti-police, prohibiting its Facebook group members from “police sympathizing,” and saying, “The instituion (sic.) of policing is rooted in, and perpetuates, the systems of white supremacy and capitalism. Our immediate goal is to defund all local police departments. No support of police will be tolerated in this group.”

The paper spoke with Cullman County Sheriff Matt Gentry, who made clear his opposition to the movement.

“The ‘Defund the Police’ agenda is being driven by out-of-touch extreme left wing groups that have no idea what it’s like to walk in the shoes of a deputy sheriff or a police officer trying to keep people safe every day and night,” he said.

“If that agenda happens, then you lose the front line of defense between the criminals and the law-abiding citizens. If there is no law, we as a nation will fail,” Gentry advised.

Gentry added, “I can’t imagine this [‘Defund the Police’] movement would ever gain traction in Alabama or Cullman County. We will continue to make sure Cullman County is the safest county to live in and continue to have the best and most qualified deputies at the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office.”

You can read the full report by The Cullman Tribune here.

Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn