Protesters arrested after climbing onto Roberto Clemente Bridge

Two people were arrested on Sunday after they climbed into the main cable system of the Roberto Clemente Bridge to hang a protest banner.

Pittsburgh police responding to a report of people climbing onto the bridge at about 8:30 a.m. on Sunday said a group of 15 protesters used bicycles to block vehicles from driving onto the bridge while two members of the group climbed up the bridge to erect the banner.

Police shut the bridge off to vehicle and pedestrian traffic during the incident and cut down the banner, according to public safety officials.

Responders were able to convince the pair to rappel down from the suspension cables at around 11:30 a.m.

“Negotiators kept constant contact with the climbers,” Pittsburgh Public Safety spokesman Maurice Matthews said. “They were able to encourage them to rappel down just over 3-hours later.”

The bridge was reopened shortly before noon.

William Howison, 24, and Chelsea Lefever, 28, both of Pittsburgh, face multiple charges of possession of an instrument of crime, recklessly endangering another person, obstructing emergency services, disorderly conduct and obstructing a highway, according to criminal complaints filed with Pittsburgh Municipal Court.

Both suspects were in custody awaiting their arraignments Sunday night.

The incident took place during the same time as a pride parade was making its way from Centre Avenue to West Allegheny Commons Park on the North Side.

The parade was re-routed to the Seventh Street Bridge due to the closure of the Clemente bridge.