Just weeks into the new year, Birmingham's Randall Woodfin is demonstrating that he does not tolerate questions, comments or dissenting opinions.
Woodfin has chosen to respond to critics by silencing them rather than ignore social media posts questioning his priorities as most public figures, elected officials or candidates do.
1819 News has confirmed that multiple Woodfin constituents and members of the media were victims of the mayor's mass blocking on the X platform (formerly known as Twitter) this week.
His actions show what many voters and opponents expect and have been seeing as his reelection campaign heats up: He will silence anyone who questions him, block their comments, shut down the ability of those who disagree with him to repost his content with their thoughts and limit who can respond.
One of his opponents in the race for mayor, State Rep. Juandalynn Givan (D-Birmingham), told 1819 News that she does not support blocking dissenting views. She said that her "leadership style is different." She likes to listen and wants everyone to be heard.
Givan was emphatic that when it comes to what people say and have the ability to express, it doesn't matter if she personally "likes it or not," she believes in the First Amendment and their right to say it, especially for elected officials and those running for office.
Echoing a sentiment she shared in a radio interview several weeks ago, she said, "When you're in public life, you need to have thick skin." She cited media reports she believed were unfavorable or even unfair to her and said that it's just what comes with the job. Rather than silencing those, she said she welcomes dissenting views: "Bring it on! Talk about me."
The Woodfin post about egg prices, asking, "Price of y'alls eggs gone down yet?" was just one in a series within the last month that didn't attempt to address the city's problems, seemingly instead meant to generate clicks and likes, but only from people who will not question him. The majority of his posts have been focused on promoting his book "Son of Birmingham", insulting Alabamian's values, and criticizing President Donald Trump.
Egg prices have gone up, and Birmingham residents throughout the city have said that their local grocery stores have no eggs at all. Experts attribute both to the bird flu, which began in 2022.
If Birmingham residents, still reeling from the 2024 record-breaking homicide rates, came into 2025 hoping for a new direction from the city, they have plenty of reasons to be disappointed.
There have already been eight homicides reported since January 1. Additionally, the Birmingham Police Department reported that three officers were injured on January 15 after a suspect, later arrested, crashed a stolen SUV into several police cars, an incident Woodfin didn't acknowledge on his X account at all.
Apryl Marie Fogel is a Birmingham resident who frequently appears on and guest hosts radio programs around the state. She can be reached at aprylmarie.fogel@1819news.com or on X and Facebook at @aprylmarie.
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