I’m pleased to see the Trib’s coverage of the peaceful protests in our area following the death of George Floyd. The reality of systemic racism has finally reached into small cities, suburbs and even small towns. And white Americans are standing with our fellow black citizens to demand change.

Let me begin by saying that I’m a 66-year-old white man. This shouldn’t really matter, but it will to some. My wife and I recently participated in a protest in New Kensington. We were concerned to see outside agitators there. As we walked to the protest, we saw a white man loading his gun on the front seat of his truck that had a license plate for “Forest Fire Patrol,” and there wasn’t a forest in sight.

When we arrived at City Hall, we witnessed another white man with a gun on his belt carrying a provocative sign and videotaping the faces of everyone in the crowd. And then there were the group of white guys who surrounded the Officer Brian Shaw monument looking very intimidating. There was a strong police presence; they didn’t need the help of vigilantes.

These were the people who came to a peaceful protest looking for trouble. I’m glad that no one in the crowd took the bait.

Pete Passarelli

Allegheny Township, Westmoreland County

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