'I Want To Show That We Can Be Peaceful': Protesters Gather Outside Church In East Liberty Over Death Of George Floyd
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Hundreds of people gathered at two different peaceful protests in East Liberty on Sunday, marking the second day of demonstrations following the death of George Floyd in Minnesota police custody.
One protest stood outside of Target in East Liberty, with demonstrators holding signs and chanting.
Alexander Cash and Elizya Powell organized the event and were initially the only two protestors there before dozens more gathered.
"All the stuff they did downtown is really tragic," Cash said. "I want to show that we can be peaceful."
Organizers promoted unity while speaking out against the death of George Floyd.
"Not every single cop is bad, but there's a lot of people that's taken control and abuse of their power, and I don't like it," Cash said.
A few blocks from Target, around two hundred people gathered outside of Eastminster Church for an evening of prayer and reflection.
Church leader Renee Haynes-Johnson said the event was a collaboration between ten local churches.
"To lift up what's been going on in America these past few weeks," Haynes-Johnson said. "Lift up prayers, ask the Holy Spirit to come in and do his work in the situation."
The event consisted mostly of prayers and speeches by community leaders, including Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto.
Haynes-Johnson said the event was open to all those who wanted to protest peacefully.
"What we have here is a community invitation open to people who want to come and sympathize, empathize, show their hearts of compassion," she said.
Pittsburgh Police were present in their cars in a nearby parking lot between Target and the church.
They also stood around the perimeter of the protest at Eastminster Church.
State Police were also on hand in riot gear.
There did not appear to be any conflict between protestors and police.
Protestors left the area as the city's 8:30 p.m. curfew approached, and police left shortly after.
Over 100 protesters also gathered in Market Square on Sunday afternoon, as well as in Westmoreland County.
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Stay with KDKA for more on this developing story.
