- The narrator: The narrator of the poem is a white person who is witnessing the events of the Birmingham campaign. They are sympathetic to the cause of the protesters, but also horrified by the violence that is taking place.
- The protesters: The protesters are a group of black people who are demonstrating for their civil rights. They are peaceful protesters, but they are met with violence from the white police officers.
- The police officers: The police officers in the poem are white and they are brutal. They use excessive force against the protesters, and they even shoot and kill some of them.
- The church: The church in the poem is a symbol of hope and redemption. It is a place where the black people can come to find comfort and support.
- The city of Birmingham: The city of Birmingham is a symbol of the racism and segregation that existed in the United States during the 1960s. It is a place where black people were treated as second-class citizens.
- The bomb: The bomb at the 16th Street Baptist Church was a tragic event that killed four young girls and injured many others. It is a reminder of the violence and hatred that was directed towards black people during the civil rights movement.