Inciting riot charge against Alabama comedian ‘Funnymaine’ dismissed

A Birmingham municipal court dismissed a charge against local comedian Jermaine “Funnymaine” Johnson on Wednesday morning.

Johnson had been charged with inciting a riot, a Class A misdemeanor, for comments made on May 31 that preceded a night of violence and looting in Birmingham.

A warrant was issued for his arrest on June 1, and he turned himself in days later. He has been out on bond since June 9 and never spent a night in jail.

Johnson became known in Alabama for his “How Bama fans watched…” skits that he publishes to social media where they garner hundreds of thousands of views.

He was one of the primary organizers and speakers at Birmingham’s May 31 Linn Park demonstration that sprung up amidst the national outrage over George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis.

“We need to tear something down tonight. They need to see Birmingham, the home of the civil rights movement, tear some sh-t down tonight,” Johnson said at the protest, which was in reference to a nearby monument to Confederate soldiers and sailors.

Later in the evening, when Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin promised the crowd that the city would remove the Confederate monument, Johnson said the crowd should give Woodfin the chance to keep his promise.

Late night after the protests at which Johnson spoke, some remaining demonstrators assaulted journalists covering the events. Around two dozen area businesses were significantly damaged by protesters that night, and about half of those receiving damage were looted.

Woodfin was asked about Johnson’s words the next day and said, “We will be following up on any information people would like to share, about anyone that incited anything. And if in our power, we have evidence, we will bring charges.”

Johnson is holding a press conference Wednesday to give more information on the dismissal of his charges.

Henry Thornton is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can contact him by email: [email protected] or on Twitter @HenryThornton95