Jefferson County, over-the-mountain mayors seek National Guard help in keeping peace

Officials in Jefferson County and several over-the-mountain mayors have requested assistance from the National Guard in maintaining order, Jefferson County Emergency Management Agency Director Jim Coker said.

Jefferson County Commission President Jimmie Stephens and the mayors of Hoover, Homewood, Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills all asked to have the National Guard available to assist any part of the county that may need help in maintaining the peace, Coker said.

Coker said he made the request today on their behalf to the Alabama Emergency Management Agency.

This follows rampant vandalism and attacks on journalists in Birmingham Sunday night, limited vandalism and hundreds of protesters in Hoover Saturday and Sunday, and threats on social media to continue the violent acts in the suburbs.

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey earlier today authorized National Guard Adjutant Gen. Sheryl Gordon to activate up to 1,000 guardsmen should the need arise in response to violent protesters.

“The Alabama National Guard stands ready to assist when peaceful protests become violent and dangerous to our public safety,” Ivey said in a written statement. “I will always support the right of the people of Alabama to peacefully lift your voices in anger and frustration. However, we will not allow our cities to become a target for those, especially from other states, who choose to use violence and destruction to make their point.”

Meanwhile, the city of Birmingham has requested assistance from the Alabama State Troopers, Coker said.

Earlier today, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin declared a state of emergency and implemented a curfew he said would be strictly enforced from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.