9th day of protests in Pittsburgh as marchers call for police reform

The ninth straight day of demonstrations in Pittsburgh came to a close in Market Square on Sunday with protesters calling on city officials to meet with them to discuss police department reforms.

“Chief of police, we’re asking you for a sit down,” said Kyna James, one of four leaders of the group Pittsburgh, I Can’t Breathe, which organized a march Sunday afternoon. “We want to sit with you personally, the four of us. We have demands for our people. So if you’re really with us the way you say you are, make that happen.”

Those demands include consistent use of police body cameras and fair treatment in any situation, whether it is a traffic stop or a possible crime, organizers said.

Pittsburgh Chief of Police Scott Schubert said in a Facebook post Sunday that he knelt with protesters during a march in Beechview on Friday “because it felt like the right thing to do.”

“I did it for all of those people around me on Friday, peaceful protesters who want real and meaningful change, not ill-conceived, knee-jerk reactions,” Schubert wrote. “I did it because that neighborhood is where I grew up — I went to Brashear High School, just like the protest organizer, an amazing young woman who I think is going to be an incredible leader. I also did it for our officers. The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police has focused for years on building bridges with all of our communities, and I want the public to see that, too.”

Pittsburgh is just one of many cities across the country and world where protests have broken out to demand racial equity and an end to police brutality.

Demonstrations started more than a week ago after George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, was killed by a white Minneapolis police officer May 25.

Since then, the officer responsible has been fired and charged with second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. Three other officers who were involved were also fired and charged with aiding and abetting in the killing of Floyd.

The demonstration organized by Pittsburgh I Can’t Breathe, one of several throughout the city Sunday, started about 3:30 p.m. at Grandview Overlook in Mt. Washington.

From there, a crowd of several hundred marched down P.J. McArdle Roadway to the intersection at the Liberty Bridge and Liberty Tunnel.

I’m standing on a barrier along the sidewalk and street. You can feel a wave of sound as the crowd passes. There’s a lot of energy. Like previous protests this week, many young people. This is the 9th day of protests in Pittsburgh. Here w/ @shanedunlap for @TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/JX8TNvGW7m

— Jamie Martines (@Jamie_Martines) June 7, 2020

Pittsburgh police — some wearing face shields and helmets, and carrying gas masks — blocked the entrance to the tunnel. Barricades blocked the bridge. Protesters moved swiftly through the intersection and sat down in the road at Arlington Avenue and P.J. McArdle Roadway, where leaders from Pittsburgh I Can’t Breathe led the crowd in six minutes and 50 seconds of silence in honor of Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old black woman who was killed in her home in March when Louisville police executed a no-knock search warrant.

They also highlighted one of the themes of the march — education — by encouraging protesters to share their personal experiences with police brutality and racism with each other.

“What we do now and what we say now, it matters,” said Dasia Clemons, one of the leaders of the march. “And if we’re still profiling people, as the police, if we’re still treating people unjustly, that is exactly what the younger generation is going to be.”

The group proceeded to march over the Smithfield Street bridge and through Downtown, ending by making a circle in Market Square and reviewing the demands they have of city officials to reform police practices.

Marchers now leaving the South Side and crossing the Smithfield Street bridge, heading for Downtown Pittsburgh. Some tie white balloons to the bridge, others sing and chant. pic.twitter.com/U6t542iZf2

— Jamie Martines (@Jamie_Martines) June 7, 2020

Protesters are also calling on officials to drop charges against protesters who were arrested during protests in the city the past week.

The group dispersed from Market Square around 7:30 p.m., taking turns exiting the area in small groups.

No incidents were reported, according to a statement from Pittsburgh Public Safety.

Several hundred people also rallied in Point State Park in Pittsburgh on Sunday.

Point State Park gathering of signs. Followed by people telling their stories to the audience. ⁦@TribLIVE⁩ pic.twitter.com/xjoW5DVXkp

— John Allison (@JohnAllison_PGH) June 7, 2020

Speakers encouraged white allies — people who came out to support, but who may not have ever been directly affected by racism or police brutality — to advocate for change beyond rallies and and on social media.

“There aren’t enough black people in Pittsburgh to do this ourselves,” said Tanisha Long, who organized the event on social media. “We need allies, advocates and activists.”

Story told at BLM rally: At first year at college, a white girl couldn’t believe he wasn’t an athlete — “how did I get in?” Still stings. Now he’s in master’s program at Point Park. “Protests mean nothing unless we get policy changes.” Also: “I love you all.” ⁦@TribLIVE⁩ pic.twitter.com/EsozPobnha

— John Allison (@JohnAllison_PGH) June 7, 2020

A few portraits from today's BLM rally in Point State Park - "The most important thing to me is compassion," said David Diaz, of New York. - @TribLIVE #PittsburghProtests pic.twitter.com/aLTjZeWJSV

— Shane Dunlap (@shanedunlap) June 7, 2020