Activists call for action beyond protesting at final Civil Saturdays march in Pittsburgh

Hundreds of people marched across several Pittsburgh neighborhoods in the name of social justice and police accountability during an hours-long, peaceful event Saturday afternoon.

The demonstration marked the 16th and final Civil Saturdays, a weekly protest organized by the Black, Young, & Educated youth-led organization in support of the broader Black Lives Matter movement.

“We’ve been on a 16-week journey,” organizer Giuseppe Bagheera, 18, of Pittsburgh’s North Side, told the crowd encircling her outside the Target department store at Penn and Centre avenues. “If this is something which you really are passionate about, which you should be, I need you to not just go to another protest, I need you to be a voice.”

The decision to end the weekly event was made about three days ago, Bagheera said, with organizers needing a break and encouraging other local groups and individuals to move forward with other events and activities that support the movement.

“Keep it going, be loud,” Bagheera said.

The message echoed by several speakers: “What are you going to do now?”

They challenged attendees to continue speaking out against racial and other injustices through further protests, social media, donating, volunteering and civic engagement — including calls to amend Section 508, Pennsylvania’s state law that pertains to justified use of deadly force. They issued a call to action for participants to contact elected officials, denounce injustice in their daily lives and have meaningful conversations with people in their communities, schools and workplaces.

“Empathy, communication and understanding is the way through the chaos,” said Phelan Barreiro, 36, founding members of the Black History Project political activist group.

Among upcoming events planned: a block party and canvassing through places such as East Liberty to spark connections between activists and residents.

“Because that relationship needs to exist,” one speaker said.

Several speakers urged attendees to continue speaking out against racial/all injustice, with Civil Saturday event ending today.

Among efforts cited: a block party on Sunday & training for canvassing to discuss movement w/ residents.

“Because that relationship needs to exist.” pic.twitter.com/MLtul6Zrc0

— Natasha Lindstrom (@NewsNatasha) September 12, 2020

Saturday’s nearly five-hour demonstration began around 3 p.m. at Bakery Square in Larimer and involved marching across the city’s East Liberty, Friendship, Shadyside neighborhoods.

The group paused to form circles at several intersections along the way to make space for activists to take turns giving remarks and leading attendees in songs and chants.

There were no apparent clashes between police and marchers or any other passersby or onlookers, though some drivers complained to police about having to take detours.

Last week, demonstrations in Downtown Pittsburgh led to confrontations between some protesters and cyclists, and between protesters and restaurant patrons eating outdoors. The footage drew condemnation from Mayor Bill Peduto, Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich and police Chief Scott Schubert, as well as the attention of President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence.

Protest organizers dismissed the criticism. They spoke of their continued concerns over police using unnecessary force on marchers and ralliers.

Of dozens of Black Lives Matter protests since the May 25 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, last week’s incident was one of the few that featured conflicts with passersby. On May 30, in line with similar events nationwide, Downtown protests turned violent in the city, prompting property owners to board up windows and take other preventive measures. Peduto has worked with police in an attempt to keep the protests, and the police response to the protesters, peaceful.

Multiple speakers Saturday afternoon criticized local officials such as Peduto — and at least a few dozen said they planned to head to his home as of shortly before 8 p.m.

“Mayor Peduto has got to go!” was among chants, which also included “No justice, no peace, no racist police,” “No KKK, no racist USA” and “You can’t stop the revolution.”

Prior to the protest, activists from several groups headed to the city’s Hill District over reports of vandalism at Freedom Square, where Dannielle Brown has been camping out on a hunger strike to pressure Duquesne University officials to release information and evidence related to her son’s death at the campus two years ago. She is on the 71st day of her hunger strike.

Pittsburgh police said camera footage showed a male trashing some of the camping gear overnight.

A public works crew who responded at the request of Dan Gilman, chief of staff for Peduto, found no graffiti or permanent damage and power-washed the area.

On Sunday, a Walk of Peace is set to start at Weil Pre-K-5 School on Centre Avenue and conclude at the freshly cleaned Freedom Square.