Oct. 24-- Oct. 24--A series of planned protests in defense of the environment and in opposition to President Donald Trump took place across Pittsburgh's Downtown all day Wednesday as Trump spoke at an energy industry conference held at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.
The rallies and marches remained peaceful even as Trump supporters and protesters gathered outside the convention center before, during and after the president's hour-long speech.
The progressive Jewish organization Bend the Arc: Pittsburgh gathered outside the Gateway Center T stop during the morning commute. They marched to the Fort Pitt Bridge ramp at Liberty Avenue and Commonwealth Place where members of the group knelt at the bridge off ramp until police intervened.
Officers peacefully arrested 14 protesters and handcuffed them with zip ties. No other arrests were made at protests later in the day, Pittsburgh Public Safety spokesman Chris Togneri said.
"We told President Trump a year ago that we didn't want him here until he denounced white nationalism," said Jonathan Mayo, 48, of Squirrel Hill, a member of Bend the Arc, referring to a letter the group issued following the Tree of Life shooting that left 11 people dead. "And as far as I know, that hasn't happened yet."
A second wave of protests, organized by People Over Petro, a coalition of environmental organizations from Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginiastarted around noon at Point State Park.
Organizers said the protest, which focused on concerns over water pollution caused by fracking, pipeline construction and manufacturing, was planned before Trump's visit was announced.
Members of Native American communities from across the country led the crowd in a water blessing ceremony at the fountain at the Point before marching to a rally outside the convention center.
"Water is sacred," said Cheryl Angel, a Siecangu Lakota elder who led the water blessing ceremony. "We become the vessels when we drink the water. If the waters are polluted, so are we. We are drinking a poison that leads to our demise."
Joseph Schrader, 43, of Mt. Washington, observed the water ceremony from afar with a Trump flag draped over his shoulders, wearing a Make America Great Again hat and holding two small American flags.
"We're all neighbors, we have to know each other, at a minimum," he said.
Schrader said the ceremony was "beautiful" even if he didn't agree with what the protesters stood for. He said he wanted to try to talk to them.
"We can't keep on fighting each other," he said.
Protesters marched from the Point to join people already gathered outside the convention center at Penn Avenue and 10th Street, kicking off back-to-back rallies organized by People Over Petro, Women's March on Washington-Pittsburgh and Indivisible Pittsburgh.
Several vendors were selling Trump swag outside of the center. Rob Richardson of Robinson bought a pin for his wife, Lynne, to wear inside.
"Because I love him, because I love low unemployment and protection of the unborn and a strong military," he said.
The couple was excited to see Trump speak live for the first time. Lynne Richardson said the protesters have a right to be there, too.
"I'm hopeful that we can keep our rights to be conservatives," she said.
Mark Roberts and Dawn Davies got to the convention center hours before Trump was scheduled to start speaking.
"If you're a Trump supporter, getting to see him live is the ultimate form of support for him," said Roberts, 57, of Murrysville. "I was not going to miss this."
Davies, 50, of Marshall Township, said she lives near the Royal Dutch Shell cracker plant under construction in Beaver County. She wanted to hear the president speak Wednesday to become more educated about natural gas.
As Trump spoke inside, protesters held up signs while speakers talked about presidential abuses of power and reasons they feel the president should be removed from office.
"This president has broken the law, he's abused his power, and he's put his narrow self-interest above the interest of the country, he has sold us out," said Marie Norman, co-founder of the Order of the Phoenix, a Pittsburgh advocacy group opposing Trump.
Dave Dornack, of Baden, carried a sign that said "Impeach + Convict."
"I'm undecided on the whole fracking thing," Dornack said. "I do understand it has brought a lot of jobs to my county. But this man can't be in the presidency anymore. He's urinated on the office of presidency. It's more than just Democrat or Republican. The way he carries himself, how childish he is, he's a liar, he's a known proven liar."
Pittsburgh activist Christian Carter, of Pittsburgh's East Liberty neighborhood, led protesters in several chants.
"It is our duty to fight for our freedom. It is our duty to win," he chanted.
He detailed several qualities he wants in a president.
"I want a president with no air conditioning," Carter said. "I want a president who stood on a line at a clinic, at the DMV, at the welfare office. Who has been unemployed, laid off, sexually harassed, gay bashed and deported."
At the conclusion of the rally, small groups of Trump supporters exiting the conference and protesters exchanged chants. Police officers separated the two groups, but they continued to yell at each other past the police.
There were competing chants of "Lock him up" and "Four more years."
Jamie Martines and Renatta Signorini are Tribune-Review staff writers. You can contact Jamie at 724-850-2867, [email protected] or via Twitter @Jamie_Martines. You can contact Renatta at 724-837-5374, [email protected] or via Twitter @byrenatta. Staff reporter Megan Tomasic contributed to this report.
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Local -- Pittsburgh Allegheny -- Top Stories
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