Protesters take to Pittsburgh streets for 6th straight day in 4-hourlong peaceful march

Heavy rains and strong winds did not keep hundreds of protesters out of Pittsburgh streets for an hourslong, peaceful march that took them from Downtown to the South Side to the Hill District and back.

It marked the sixth straight day of protesting on city streets in response to racial injustice and the killing George Floyd in Minneapolis on Memorial Day.

The group gathered about 2 p.m. near the Wood Street T station and began moving toward the Allegheny County Jail. They held court in several intersections, and organizers took turns speaking to the crowd.

At Smithfield Street and Boulevard of the Allies, an organizer spoke about Floyd’s life and the circumstances behind his death at the hands of police.

Floyd died after at least one officer kneeled on his neck for more than eight minutes. Officers had been called for a man allegedly trying to pass off a counterfeit $20 bill.

“There is no way his life should have been taken for that,” the organizer shouted. “No one deserves to have a knee in the back of their neck.”

“No one deserves to have a knee in the back of their neck.” pic.twitter.com/WXvlP9BEKh

— Megan Guza (@meganguzaTrib) June 4, 2020

The group — which stretched for more than a city block — marched to the jail and staged a “die-in” in the street, lying on their backs, some with their arms raised.

From there, nearly two hours into the demonstration, protesters crossed the 10th Street Bridge into the South Side. At East Carson and 18th streets, they sat.

“We are making everyone here uncomfortable,” one organizer said, then reminding everyone to remain peaceful.

Pittsburgh police, as they have with all of the peaceful marches, stayed about a block away in each direction, blocking traffic.

They marched to the Birmingham Bridge and crossed over into the Hill District. As they did, clouds moved in. The wind kicked up dust and dirt, blowing hats and signs.

Crossing the Birmingham Bridge back towards downtown @TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/Uh1YsxvhTB

— Nate Smallwood (@nsmallwoodphoto) June 4, 2020

Just as the demonstrators turned onto Fifth Avenue, the rain began. Still, they marched. They cheered the thunder and tromped through puddles, while some residents came outside the raise their fists in solidarity.

For nearly four hours, they chanted the names of black men and women killed by police. They sang “Which Side Are You On?” and declared that they have nothing to lose but their chains.

By 5:45 p.m., they’d made their way back Downtown. On Fifth Avenue, just past PPG Paints Arena, a line of sheriff’s deputies in helmets and with shields stood near one of the court buildings. Protest organizers routed the crowd up Sixth Avenue instead of continuing on Fifth toward the deputies.

Just about 6 p.m., back at the starting point near Liberty Avenue and Sixth Street, the demonstration ended, and organizers ordered everyone to leave the area immediately. They did, and the protest ended without any incidents.

Organizers telling the crowd to immediately “go the (expletive) home.” Said that if they don’t, anything that’s happens is on them. pic.twitter.com/h8a7glGuin

— Megan Guza (@meganguzaTrib) June 4, 2020