Protesters in Downtown Pittsburgh disperse, 3 from splinter group arrested
Pittsburgh police have arrested three people in connection with a protest downtown Wednesday night, according to Pittsburgh Public Safety officials.
The arrests came after a small group of protesters broke off from a larger group and began overturning every garbage can they passed and knocking over traffic signs shortly before 8 p.m.
One protester spray-painted the City-County Building, and leaders of the splinter group unraveled a sign that read, “Don’t vote. Fight for revolution.”
City public safety officials took to Twitter to release a statement about the situation.
“Public Safety respects everyone’s First Amendment rights, but causing destruction will not be tolerated,” the post read.
A majority of protesters in Downtown Pittsburgh dispersed after gathering outside the City-County Building for about an hour Wednesday night.
City Public Safety officials said the small group of protesters broke off to to march along city streets, among them Wylie Avenue.
Protesters refused to communicate with Civil Affairs, officials said, as they had since the protest began along Grant Street at 6 p.m.
They held up various signs demanded that all votes that were cast in Tuesday’s election be counted. Lawyers for President Trump were trying to stop counting ballots in Pennsylvania.
The group in the early going made their way along Sixth Avenue, Wood Street and the Boulevard of the Allies heading toward Smithfield Street before stopping at the City-County Building.
The portion of Grant Street was closed as of 6:45 p.m.; it was not clear when that stretch reopened.
A social media post by the public safety department said Civil Affairs attempted to communicate with protest leaders, but they were not responsive and their intentions are not clear.
ALERT: A group of protesters is marching down Grant Street Downtown. Civil Affairs attempted to communicate with leaders, but they were not responsive. Intentions are not clear. Police are monitoring and will close roadways around group for safety. More updates to come. pic.twitter.com/mhECD4F8HH
— Pgh Public Safety (@PghPublicSafety) November 4, 2020
The protesters have stopped in front of the City-County building. Grant Street is closed. Cycle units remain in the area to close streets around protest for everyone’s safety. All is peaceful at this time. https://t.co/RorWTPzkNc
— Pgh Public Safety (@PghPublicSafety) November 4, 2020
Most of the crowd dispersed, but now a small group of protesters is marching again. Heading outbound on Forbes. Still not communicating with Civil Affairs officers on scene, so not clear where they are going or what they intend to do. https://t.co/kumjk5KBRW
— Pgh Public Safety (@PghPublicSafety) November 5, 2020
Group has splintered into several smaller groups. Police have made three arrests so far. Public Safety respects everyone’s First Amendment rights, but causing destruction will not be tolerated. https://t.co/45WOJ1yOTE
— Pgh Public Safety (@PghPublicSafety) November 5, 2020
Michael DiVittorio is a TribLive reporter covering general news in Western Pennsylvania, with a penchant for festivals and food. He can be reached at mdivittorio@triblive.com.
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