Resolution to rename portion of Sixteenth Street North will be withdrawn as President Parker works with community leaders to address reformative policy matters

Following a weekend of constructive discussions with local activists, business owners and residents, Council President William Parker has said he will withdraw a resolution seeking to rename a portion on Sixteenth Street North.

“I’ve had many conversations over the last few days with people about ways in which we, as elected officials, can help make a difference in this current movement we’re seeing,” President Parker said. “We will be working together with Cara McClure, co-founder of Black Lives Matter, A Group of Movement Voices, area pastors and other community leaders to identify and address policy measures that improve the quality of life in Birmingham.”

The move to honor the Black Lives Matter movement and join that with Birmingham’s history of civil rights activism has sparked a citywide conversation. Over the weekend, local activists penned an open letter to city leaders about policies they’d like to see implemented, most notably, a participatory budgeting process, neighborhood issues, and COVID-19 safety measures at the Birmingham City Jail.

President Parker said the Council is fully committed to working with community leaders on policy recommendations and establishing a path towards implementing those measures.

“We all understand that this moment demands more than simply renaming a street,” President Parker said. “As city leaders, we want to show that we stand in lockstep with the current movement for justice. We are committed to not only honoring the current movement, but also to enacting policies that improve the quality of life for every single resident; policies that instill a sense of confidence in our institutions and prove that we are continuing the mission of those who marched before us.”

Over the coming weeks, the Council will be working with community leaders to address these, and other, policy measures.