The specific wording on the banners shows a likely connection to a group called the White Man March that is trying to organize events around the country today, but none was announced for Birmingham. An event is planned in New York City today by the self-proclaimed "pro-white" group, according to reports.
Birmingham police took action this morning after receiving reports about the banners. "We just removed the signs," Birmingham Police Lt. Sean Edwards said in a phone interview this afternoon.
Police had received calls starting this morning of banners hanging from various overpass locations on Interstate 59/20 in the downtown area as well as the 12th Avenue overpass on Interstate 65, Edwards said.
"We don't want stuff like that. We want to remove it quickly. We don't want to alarm the citizens. We don't welcome that type of mentality and behavior here," Edwards said.
Edwards said no individuals or groups have been identified as the parties responsible for the banners in Birmingham today. He noted the connection between the wording on the banner and the White Man March group, but he was not aware of the organization having an active branch in Birmingham.
According to the site www.whitemanmarch.com, the group is promoting the display of banners today that state "diversity = white genocide."
"This 'diversity' agenda is being directed at white countries (and only at white countries) with various programs to ensure that there are less white people at schools and in the work force, which is unfair and discriminatory, taking away money and opportunities from the White citizens. 'Diversity' is a codeword for White Genocide," according to the organization's website.
The group planned "pro-white activity around the world today" in order to "spread information through activism, but also to make a statement that White people are united in their love for their race and in their opposition to its destruction."