Protesters Gather Outside Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto's Home For 2nd Consecutive Night; Police Declare 'Unlawful Assembly'
By: KDKA-TV News Staff
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Police clashed with protesters in Mellon Park, leading to an arrest, after the demonstrators gathered outside Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto's home in Point Breeze for the second consecutive night.
On Wednesday night, a small group went up to meet with the mayor on his porch, and they talked about the weekend arrest of a protester by plainclothes police officers, the East Liberty protest on June 1, police accountability, what protesters say is a lack of support from Mayor Peduto and more.
Protesters were not happy with the mayor's answers, and frustration was building on both sides. Eventually, protesters decided they heard enough and started chanting. Mayor Peduto then went inside his home around 9 p.m. after about 40 minutes.
The group of about 200 remained outside, chanting.
Activist Brandi Fisher and Councilwoman Erika Strassburger were a few of the people on the steps.
"This is really about relating to young people instead of charging them," Fisher said. "They are responding to people protesting the abuse of power by police, and they are being met with the same thing."
"They are fed up. They have been waiting for change. They are ready for bold action," Strassburger said. "They have been waiting years, really generations, for bold change in the city. That is what I heard. That is what I am taking home with me."
At around 10:15 p.m., a large group of police officers on motorcycles arrived at a nearby intersection. Protesters were warned about a 10 p.m. noise ordinance, and police later declared an "unlawful assembly." The demonstration was peaceful.
"Protesters are being asked to leave the vicinity or face possible arrest," Pittsburgh Public Safety said on Twitter.
The group of protesters marched along an exit route, set up by police, to Mellon Park, where police clashed with protesters. Police wanted the protesters to move further into the park and to stop blocking the sidewalk. Police told the protesters to go further into the park, and then announced the park was closed as of 9 p.m.
Things then escalated as police sprayed something into the group. Two pops were also heard, which sent protesters running. It is unclear what those pops were or if anyone was hurt.
Police say one person was arrested.
Earlier, police declared a protest outside of Mayor Peduto's home that began Tuesday evening and stretched into Wednesday morning an "unlawful assembly."
Protesters spent Tuesday night and Wednesday morning outside of the mayor's home chanting, making noise and calling for the mayor's resignation after plainclothes police officers arrested the protester and put him in an unmarked van.
Police gave dispersal orders Wednesday morning, and the protesters left. The mayor was not home.
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- Pittsburgh Activists Say Peduto, Public Safety 'Vilify' Protesters Following Weekend Arrest Of Demonstrator
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The demonstrators have said they are protesting because they feel the mayor has not taken the Black Lives Matter movement seriously. On Tuesday, protesters said they set up outside the mayor's house because they wanted to walk to him.
So far, police have allowed demonstrators unfettered access to city streets without permits, but the ACLU says police are within their rights to make arrests if protesters create disturbances or block vital streets and intersections and refuse to disperse.
