CULLMAN, Ala. – As a peaceful protest against racism and the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis was winding down at Cullman’s Depot Park Sunday afternoon, protests in Birmingham were ramping up and would result in acts of violence across that city and its suburbs. As the protest continued in Cullman Monday and protest organizers created the “Correct Cullman” Facebook group, others in the community set up their own group, “Cullman Strong.” A day later, the latter group had more than 1,400 members.
One of the group’s founders, who asked to remain anonymous, sent a message to The Tribune, saying, “This group is for the people of Cullman to come together, work together, and serve together! Cullman for the most part is one big family! In this time, and in the future, we need to band together to be unified and serve (or protect if needed) our county!
“Cullman has always overcome obstacles that have been put in front of us and that won’t change now. We want to get the point across that we do not see skin color, the old Cullman is not the same as the new Cullman. The human race is the only race we need to acknowledge. We love & support all of our first responders, including our law enforcement! We will display honor, respect, and integrity when it comes to our city, county, state, and country! We will not tolerate hatred, racism, or violence towards our community members, law enforcement, or our county.”
Group administrators posted in the group’s Facebook page, “We are working to monitor posts and comments. We will NOT tolerate any abuse towards other members or racism towards anyone! We are all in the human race! This group stand for unity and that is the only thing we will tolerate. If you are here to argue, you’re in the wrong group! Please display maturity. Feel free to share information and discuss matters but do not allow it to become a heated argument because you will be removed! Cullman has always pulled together when times got tough and we should be that way all the time! Stay strong and stay united!”
As membership in the group rose, so did the number of concealed carry pistol permits in Cullman County. Sheriff Matt Gentry reported at 5 p.m. Tuesday that his office had issued 250 permits during the day, a single day record for the agency, whose previous one day high was 115 permits. At the same time, Van’s Sporting Goods reported that gun and ammunition sales, which had risen early in the COVID-19 shutdown and since slacked off, have spiked once again with gun sales described as “increased a ton.” Sales of ammunition have outpaced gun sales; according to a store representative, “That’s the hottest commodity, right now.”
Monday evening, local residents met at locations around town and patrolled streets, with some listening to police scanners and alerting others via social media to reports and law enforcement communications.
In one incident, multiple concerned citizens responded to police radio chatter and social media posts about a search for a suspect in the woods behind Lowe’s off of Cherokee Avenue. Officers listening for sounds in the brush were hindered by the sounds of so many cars and trucks driving up and down Lee Avenue Southwest to the point that they requested extra officers come and close the road.
Tuesday, Cullman Police Chief Kenny Culpepper spoke to The Tribune about Monday’s incident. He did not question the motivation of those trying to keep Cullman secure, but advised, “What we want to tell the public is that the Cullman Police Department, the Cullman County Sheriff’s (Office), the Alabama State Troopers are in control, that we’ve got extra police that are out patrolling. We haven’t had any issues other than the people who say they are trying to help us. They’re getting in our way; they’re getting in the way of us handling other calls. We would like to request that any of these people that think that they’re helping us by being out here, to please stay at home, because it’s detrimental to our actions and what we’re trying to accomplish at the police department.”
Protests at Depot Park, which have remained peaceful, are planned to continue Wednesday, and Cullman Strong members planned to meet again Tuesday evening.
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