A protest planned for Thursday evening in Greensburg sent local police into short-notice preparation mode in the morning after learning about it through social media.
The event is billed as a Black Lives Matter protest that will start at 6 p.m. at the Westmoreland County courthouse, followed by a three-block march along Main Street to the city police station. Local residents and friends Mike Melko and Brianna Tomci hope to bring awareness to racism in America through the protest, Melko said.
They hope protesters can have a “civil conversation” with police outside the station, he said.
“We’d like to ask them what their plan is moving forward for the Black people and POC (people of color) in our community,” Melko said.
Good Morning! Todays Action(s):
“Black Lives Matter Protest”
6PM
Meet at Greensburg Courthouse, then we will march down to Main St.
Details: Wear Black #pittsburghprotest #pittsburghprotests #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/tL98u4Yoop— Pittsburgh Protests (@PghProtests) August 20, 2020
Police Chief Robert Stafford learned about the protest through social media Thursday morning. There have been other BLM protests over the past few months in the courtyard outside the courthouse, including one planned for this Saturday, Stafford said.
“Everything’s been peaceful,” he said.
In June, several local ministers staged a prayer vigil at the courthouse, asking the community to stand against prejudice, violence and abuse of power in the wake of the death of George Floyd by the hands of Minneapolis police.
In July, a “Rally for Black Lives” was held in nearby St. Clair Park.
Others in the county have been organized in Irwin, Jeannette and New Kensington.
County park police were unaware of Thursday’s planned protest. No one applied for a permit to use the courtyard, according to Park Police Chief Henry Fontana.
Melko said it is his and Tomci’s first time planning and hosting a protest and they hope others will join in to get their message across.
Participants are asked to wear black clothing and bring water, signs and a mask.
