Pittsburgh officials instituted an overnight citywide curfew that will last into Monday morning in response to protests that turned violent over the death of George Floyd and left widespread damage throughout Downtown.
Pittsburgh Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich announced the curfew would be in effect from 8:30 p.m. Saturday until 6 a.m. Sunday. The curfew will be in effect during the same hours Sunday into Monday.
Shortly after 11 p.m., Gov. Tom Wolf signed a disaster emergency declaration to assist Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Harrisburg in the wake of protests statewide. Part of the declaration allows Wolf to allocate $2 million to the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency to help Allegheny, Philadelphia and Dauphin counties offset expenses related to the emergency. It also permits the activation of the National Guard, though it was unclear late Saturday whether that would happen.
“People have every right to speak out and demonstrate, but it’s unacceptable to take advantage of protests to incite violence, harm others and destroy property,” Wolf said.
An hour after the curfew started, Pittsburgh police were still making arrests as “pockets of rioters” remained Downtown, including large groups on Fort Duquesne Boulevard, Public Safety tweeted. By 10:30 p.m., Downtown streets were mostly empty but not until dozens of rioters had been arrested and dozens of businesses damaged, officials said.
Multiple police officers suffered injuries, including four who needed to be transported to a hospital, officials said. By 11 p.m., they had been treated and released. At least three journalists were injured. Several protesters were treated for gas exposure after authorities released gas into crowds in an effort to get people to disperse.
Police Chief Scott Schubert, in a emotional address, told protesters who turned violent to “just leave because we aren’t going anywhere.”
Business fronts throughout Downtown were destroyed and stores looted, two Pittsburgh police vehicles were torched and Interstate 579 closed for more than an hour Saturday afternoon as thousands of protesters marched in a movement that turned into rioting.
In all, 43 adults and one juvenile were arrested, authorities said.
“We believe a lot of these individuals who are creating trouble are not from the city; however, we have to take a strong response to make sure residents … remain safe,” Hissrich said.
Protesters confront inciter
Video: Man vandalizes Pittsburgh police car (warning: graphic language)
State Rep. Summer Lee, D-Braddock, tweeted late Saturday that she was among the protesters Downtown and said “non-black agitators” put black protesters fighting for justice, freedom, and human rights in harm’s way!”
“There were absolutely agitators there like there’s been all over the country,” she wrote.
Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto told those vandalizing Downtown that they will be arrested.
“You have turned on the very mission, and more importantly — the people, you supposedly marched for 2 hours ago. You have turned their peaceful march for justice into your self-centered, violent act of attention,” he said via Twitter.
Widespread road closures were in effect throughout the day and night. Pittsburgh Public Safety around 7 p.m. declared the protests “an unlawful assembly Downtown” following “repeated acts of violence, property damage and looting of businesses.”
Earlier, Public Safety warned on its Twitter account that the situation was “dangerous” and for people to avoid the area.
Protesters just smashed a glass business front on Smithfield Street. Officers forced to disperse gas. If you came to protest peacefully, please leave, go home, for your own safety. This is no longer peaceful. https://t.co/nKD4E7A3Vm
— Pgh Public Safety (@PghPublicSafety) May 30, 2020
Port Authority suspended all bus and light-rail service Saturday night. Service was scheduled to resume Sunday morning.
About 7:30 p.m., Diocese of Pittsburgh Bishop David Zubik pleaded for calm.
Police said about 6 p.m. that protesters were smashing storefronts and entering businesses.
Chief Scott Schubert: Officials believe most rioting, looting not from #Pittsburgh. Described offenders as mostly white male “anarchists” / #Antifas
— Natasha Lindstrom (@NewsNatasha) May 31, 2020
“They’re not here to protest what happened (#GeorgeFloyd).
“They’re here to take advantage ... and cause damage, cause injury.” pic.twitter.com/APPAWDOR2x
Police activity on the Veterans Bridge forced all lanes to close around 5 p.m., according to PennDOT’s Twitter account, and Public Safety said protesters had moved onto Route 28. Several protesters said a driver hit a fellow protester near the intersection of Route 28 and Chestnut Street.
Tristen Nesmith, 23, of Beaver Falls said he saw a car strike one of the fellow #protesters along the I-579/Veterans Bridge over the Allegheny River.
— Natasha Lindstrom (@NewsNatasha) May 30, 2020
The driver got frustrated, “started reviving up his engine and just hit my man for no reason. He wasn’t doing anything wrong.” pic.twitter.com/1r0CPC2zC6
Photos: A day of protest in Pittsburgh @TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/ko1mBYUlK1
— Shane Dunlap (@shanedunlap) May 30, 2020
The protests began peacefully at Liberty and Sixth avenues shortly before 2 p.m. Three hours later, tensions escalated.
— Shane Dunlap (@shanedunlap) May 30, 2020
Small segment of people escalating things @TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/o6dNttq9if
— Nate Smallwood (@nsmallwoodphoto) May 30, 2020
Later, a group jumped an SUV and set it ablaze. They also set fire to an American flag Downtown.
A group just jumped this SUV and lit it on fire. #GeorgeFloydRiots just outside @PPGPaintsArena This is the second vehicle lit on fire that I know of. pic.twitter.com/IGj14QkhCm
— Dillon Garrett Carr (@dillonswriting) May 30, 2020
KDKA-TV photojournalist Ian Smith tweeted that he had been attacked by protesters and had his camera destroyed. A Trib photojournalist said he witnessed the assault.
I’m was attacked by protestors downtown by the arena. They stomped and kicked me. I’m bruised and bloody but alive. My camera was destroyed. Another group of protesters pulled me out and saved my life. Thank you! @KDKA pic.twitter.com/clyANKodth
— Ian Smith (@ismithKDKA) May 30, 2020
The May 25 killing of Floyd while being arrested by Minneapolis police touched off outrage across the country and days of protests and rioting.
Pittsburgh police and other organizations had said they would respect the rights of people to protest and would work with organizers to assure safety for all. But the situation that started peacefully quickly grew more aggressive.
Currently at 6th Street and Liberty Avenue @TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/twpqKWtlmd
— Nate Smallwood (@nsmallwoodphoto) May 30, 2020
Rally gathered in the center of Liberty Ave, singing, and currently very little to no police presence @TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/ornhWsHBKo
— Shane Dunlap (@shanedunlap) May 30, 2020
Currently at PPG Paints parking lots pic.twitter.com/YIRdq5Lz69
— Shane Dunlap (@shanedunlap) May 30, 2020
A Pittsburgh Police vehicle has just had all of the windows smashed out. Group is in disagreement about the actions @TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/Q5gGeCtP9w
— Shane Dunlap (@shanedunlap) May 30, 2020
A video taken by a resident shows Floyd, 46, pleading for air as a white police officer knelt on his neck and several other officers watched. The former Minneapolis officer, Derek Chauvin, was charged Friday with third-degree murder and manslaughter in connection with the incident.
In Pittsburgh, some protesters hung a portrait of Floyd when the crowd stopped for a moment of silence.
#GeorgeFloydprotest pic.twitter.com/8MA79wZDKV
— Dillon Garrett Carr (@dillonswriting) May 30, 2020
They later chanted: “Black lives, they matter here.”
“No justice, no peace.”
“No racist police.”
Protestors in Pittsburgh demonstrate following the death of George Floyd while in police custody in Minneapolis, on Saturday, May 30, 2020. @TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/RRmoUHdCgN
— Nate Smallwood (@nsmallwoodphoto) May 30, 2020
We’re moving again. This time down Market Street. #GeorgeFloydprotest pic.twitter.com/svEWRFYB0k
— Dillon Garrett Carr (@dillonswriting) May 30, 2020
People have gathered in the parking garage for a better view. #GeorgeFloydprotest pic.twitter.com/xUgIlP6uo7
— Dillon Garrett Carr (@dillonswriting) May 30, 2020
Members of the Pittsburgh Black Elected Officials Coalition political group issued a statement earlier in the day as the protests took place. Members include city councilmen R. Daniel Lavelle and Ricky Burgess, Allegheny County Councilman DeWitt Walton and State Reps. Summer Lee, Ed Gainey and Jake Wheatley.
“Today we, members of the Pittsburgh Black Elected Officials Coalition, stand united with local citizen organizers who are demanding changes to our system in the unjust treatment of black people around the country,” the statement said. “We recognize that this is an institutional challenge that is historic and deeply rooted. There must be focused and renewed attention to disrupt and permanently change these senseless and traumatic attacks of law-abiding citizens.”
Marching down Fifth now. Chanting “3rd degree is not enough.” Referring to the police officer who charged with manslaughter and murder in 3rd degree in death of George Floyd. #GeorgeFloydprotest pic.twitter.com/DPAl4YKkif
— Dillon Garrett Carr (@dillonswriting) May 30, 2020
During a 3 p.m. news conference, Pennsylvania State Police asked protesters across the state to remain peaceful. Lt. William Slaton commands the Pennsylvania State Police Heritage Affairs Section, which responds to hate crimes.
“Please continue to exercise your first amendment right to protest in a peaceful manner,” he said.
He said he was concerned about “provocateurs and extremists” coming from out of the area and inciting violence.
“They leave these communities with the reputation and the destruction that these grieving communities and business members do not deserve,” Slaton said.
I’m at Fifth and Cherry. Protesters moving toward Grant now. #GeorgeFloydprotest pic.twitter.com/sYyrMyv7jq
— Dillon Garrett Carr (@dillonswriting) May 30, 2020
The group has grown significantly. This pic shows them filling the street from Grant Street to a little beyond The Warner Centre. #GeorgeFloydprotest pic.twitter.com/U0Ngny3Wr2
— Dillon Garrett Carr (@dillonswriting) May 30, 2020
Dillon Carr and Natasha Lindstrom are Tribune-Review staff writers. You can contact Dillon at dcarr@triblive.com, and you can reach Natasha at nlindstrom@triblive.com
