Tensions flare for Trump supporters, Black Lives Matter activists in Independence Day demonstrations

Tensions flared Saturday afternoon when pro- and anti-Trump groups on land and water shouted briefly along Pittsburgh’s North Shore riverfront.

“Four more years!” a few dozen Trump supporters, dressed in red, white and blue clothing, shouted from the pier near PNC Park. They cheered on several dozen boats in a parade organized by local Trump supporters, with pontoon and speed boats waving flags that read “Keep America Great.”

But social justice activists, mostly dressed in black, called back from the sidewalks and grassy area behind the pier: “Trump is not our president!”

At one point, the standoff erupted into a series of screaming matches, and several police officers on horses intervened and positioned themselves between the opposing groups. Officers then cleared the sidewalk area, and most of the Trump supporters dispersed from the pier area shortly after 1 p.m.

The day of demonstrations was otherwise mostly peaceful, Pittsburgh Public Safety officials said shortly after 5 p.m.

Participants of each group touted their right to demonstrate in the name of freedom on Independence Day.

Trump supporter Evelyn Johnson, 29, who is Black, thinks Trump is “just incredible, his policies make sense, he tells it like it is.

“Absolutely I love my country, but I do think especially among young people we lack patriotism, at least not the patriotism I grew up with,” she said. “We’re all Americans who should all be good to each other. We shouldn’t be fighting over race or identity politics. We should really support and fight for the common goal, which is to be free and happy and pursue liberty and the American dream.”

But the protesters had a different take regarding Trump and his presidency.

“It’s important for us to be here because we don’t want another four years of a racist, hateful person in office,” said Dasia Clemons, who started the group Pittsburgh I Can’t Breathe. “He does not stand for what this country was built on — which is the people.”

The boat parade of Trump supporters began with more than 30 watercraft about 11 a.m. as scheduled along the Monongahela River near the Hot Metal Bridge, then curved around Point State Park and onto the Allegheny River. More boats joined as the day went on. The event was billed as a “peaceful and nonconfrontational celebration of our president and all law enforcement and first responders.”

More than 150 activists supporting the Black Lives Matter movement against police brutality and racial injustice showed up in response, first rallying at the boat parade’s start and then on the North Shore before marching Downtown.

“Fourth of July is about making your country what you want to see, and I don’t want it to be a hateful place,” said Will Davies, 27, of Pittsburgh’s East Liberty neighborhood, who held a “Black Lives Matter” sign alongside a friend seated on a grassy hill near the pier. “This is the first Fourth of July where we felt like we did something for our country.”

Among reasons why Trump supporters said they hope the president wins reelection: his policies on taxes, health care and immigration enforcement, including ongoing efforts to extend the wall along the U.S.-Mexican border and reduce the number of immigrants entering the nation.

Several people waving to boats from the North Shore cited enjoying Trump’s speech the day before at Mount Rushmore — in particular, his call against tearing down national monuments of controversial historical figures.

Multiple Trump supporters — some who wore masks, some who did not — lauded Trump for “telling it like it is.” Some said they wish the president didn’t tweet so much, while others said they relished Trump’s use of his Twitter account. They said he has the right to call out individuals, politicians and news stories that rankle him.

“This is America. He can demonize whoever he wants,” Johnson said. “He has the freedom of speech, just like the rest of us.

“And who he’s demonizing deserves it. … The only thing I think he can do better is be harder on the rioters.”

Rallies ignore covid-19 order

The rallies came a day after Allegheny County imposed new orders closing on-site service in restaurants and bars and discouraging large gatherings.

The boat parade was organized by local grassroots group Team Trump PA and Women for Trump, a group dedicated to Trump’s reelection.

“My prayer, honestly, is that Black people would wake up, that they can have the American dream,” said Trump supporter Kari Gresh, 51, of Upper St. Clair, who is white. “They just need to stop letting white liberals control them.”

Several social justice activists complained that police seemed to be equipped with more riot gear and batons than needed and found it intimidating.

“They tried to use their horses to intimidate us, and we still stood our ground,” said Alexis Mighty, 24, of Pittsburgh. “It’s easy to get upset, but it’s harder to keep our composure and that’s what they want. They want us to get out of character so they can label us as thugs, label us as rioters, when we’re simply here for social justice. We’re here for freedom and we’re here for equality, and that’s it.”

Police did not cite any arrests or major incidents related to the demonstrations.