By james art BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBMA) – It’s such a classic event, they even put the word “classic” in its name. This weekend, Birmingham hosts the Magic City Classic.
The Magic City Classic, dating back to 1940, is the nation’s largest black college and university football game in history. Played annually at Legion Field, Alabama A&M University and Alabama State University will square off on Saturday.
As tens of thousands of people will flock to the area around Legion Field for four quarters of the action, ABC 33/40 News looks into how law enforcement will step up security for the game at a time when calls for action to curb violent crime have been numerous.
Has a history of serious crime since the Magic City Classic.
According to ABC 33/40 News archives, three people were shot after the 2016 gameleaving 20-year-old Demarcus Bennett of Fairfield dead. He was shot in the chest during a traffic stop. All three victims were in a car when the suspect approached Bennett and began arguing with him. The suspect left, eventually returning with others before shooting into the car.
Two years earlier he was a different person shot in one of the Legion Field parking lots.
One of the deadliest areas of Birmingham in 2024 is along Third Avenue West, which is just a few blocks from Legion Field.
The Birmingham Police Department deals with great shortage of officers at a time when Police Chief Scott Thurmond has announced he will retire from the force in November.
ABC 33/40 News is working for you Friday, asking leaders what they plan to do to keep fans safe as Alabama A&M University and Alabama State University battle for bragging rights. We’ll hear what your leaders have to say on the news at 4, 5 and 6 p.m