A protest against racial injustice is planned this weekend in Irwin — which would be at least the third such event in Westmoreland County in response to the death of George Floyd.

“We had seen the other protests and we thought the community needed this event to raise awareness” about racial injustice in a primarily white community, said Lily Jarosz, 17, of Irwin, one of five organizers of the event planned planned from from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday in Irwin Park. Only about 1% of Irwin’s population of about 4,000 is African-American, according to census figures.

Protests against racial injustice swept the nation following the death of Floyd, a black man killed May 25 when a white Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for several minutes as he was handcuffed and laying face down on the street during an arrest. His death has been ruled a murder, with one officer facing homicide charges and three others lesser crimes.

The incident was caught on video and spawned protests, some violent, around the country and world.

“We‘re not trying to hurt the community. We are trying to bring love to the community. It’s a human rights issue,” said Jarosz, a rising senior at Norwin High School.

Pastor Nick Poole of Calvary Church of North Huntingdon, Norwin High history teacher Eric Bartels and a representative from Take Action Mon Valley are among the scheduled speakers, Jarosz said.

The school district is not affiliated with the event.

Previous protests in the county regarding Floyd’s death were held Sunday on Main Street in Greensburg, outside the Westmoreland County Courthouse, and in Latrobe on Monday, when about 100 protesters gathered. Another is planned Saturday in Jeannette.

Irwin Mayor Bill Hawley said the borough did not grant a permit for the protest because the group did not need one to exercise its First Amendment rights with a gathering at the park.

“You can’t give someone a permit for their right to free speech,” said Shari Martino, borough manager.

In an official statement, the borough said while it supports their rights to free speech and public assembly, “disorderly and illegal conduct will not be tolerated.”

Hawley said they want to make certain the demonstration remains peaceful and does not disrupt businesses or residents.

“The concern is that some other group may come into the protest” and try to cause damage, as has happened in Pittsburgh and other places, Hawley said.

Extra police officers will be scheduled, Chief Roger Pivirotto said. He has notified the North Huntingdon police, the state police in Greensburg and the Westmoreland County Department of Public Safety about the planned protest. Manor and Trafford police have been notified as well.

Organizers initially wanted to demonstrate at the corner of Pennsylvania and Main streets, on the sidewalk in front of the historic John Irwin House, but were told to move to the park because of heavy traffic at that intersection, Martino said.

“We want them to respect the town, the residents and the businesses, and we hope they remain in the park,” Pivirotto said.

Lois Woleslagle, president of the Irwin Business & Professional Association, made a reference to the protest during a Zoom meeting Thursday with fellow members of the Irwin’s business community.

Wolslagle, owner of Interiors by Woleslagle, offered a prayer for peace on Saturday, saying “Ask God to send his angels to protect us” and stay calm.

The specter of a protest in the park concerned Kevin Powanda, owner of 4 Seasons Travel on Main Street.

“The last thing I need (after being shutdown due to coronavirus restrictions) is to have protesters coming down here and throwing bricks though the window,” Powanda said. “They (businesses) don’t need looting.”

Despite assurances from organizers the protest will remain in the park, Powanda said, “no one can sit here and tell me it’s going to be a peaceful protest.”

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