Hundreds protest on roadways, Downtown
• Crowds shut down Interstate 376 to protest teenager’s death • Antwon Rose II wrote poem about fear and uncertainty in his life,
Crowds protesting this week’s shooting death of 17year-old Antwon Rose II. closed Interstate 376 near the Wilkinsburg exit and Route 30 in Forest Hills on Thursday night as many sat on the roadway, blocking traffic.
A small number of motorcycle police officers met the protesters about 9:30 p.m. on eastbound I-376, the Parkway East, toward the head of a long line of stalled traffic. Protesters chanted at the officers, some angrily. The situation appeared tense but remained peaceful. Officers provided little response to the protesters.
Route 30 in Forest Hills was completely shut down by police by 8 p.m., and officers from multiple jurisdictions blocked side roads on Route 30 as the protesters marched along the road toward the Parkway East.
At 9 p.m., protesters overtook I-376 in both directions. Many sat on the roadway as others chanted, “No justice! No peace!”
The Rev. Brandon Humphrey from Union Baptist Church in Monessen addressed the crowd on the interstate with a bullhorn. The group originally was led in part by motorcyclists from the Afro Dogs Pittsburgh club.
The roadway protests followed a gathering earlier in the day Downtown when a crowd of more than 200 called for charges against the police officer who fatally shot the unarmed teenager in East Pittsburgh.
Protesters gathered at the Allegheny County Courthouse to put political pressure on officials in the aftermath of the death of Antwon, who was shot three times by an East Pittsburgh police officer as he fled a traffic stop Tuesday night.
Hosted by a number of local activist groups, including the Black Femme Excellence Co. and the Alliance for Police Accountability, the protest began at noon on a stretch of Grant Street outside of the courthouse steps that was blocked off by police. The protesters crowded the street.
Holding signs that contained messages like “Stop Shooting” and “Don’t Protect Murderers,” the crowd called on Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala Jr. to bring criminal charges against East Pittsburgh Officer Michael H. Rosfeld.
As of Thursday morning, Officer Rosfeld had not yet been interviewed by Allegheny County police, who are leading the investigation.
“For teenagers in general, their first reaction if they’re afraid is to run, and it elicits different results depending on the color of your skin,” said Karen Boyer of Highland Park, who has a 19-year-old son and 17-yearold daughter.
Leon Ford Jr., who was shot and paralyzed by a Pittsburgh police detective in 2012, spoke on the stairs from a wheelchair. He said if Mr. Zappala doesn’t charge the officer, the crowd should fund a candidate to run against him next year.
“I’m asking Stephen Zappala to make a decision. You have a decision to make right now that can have an everlasting impact on this city forever and your career,” Mr. Ford said.
He also called on the community to hold accountable the local politicians who accept political donations from the Fraternal Order of Police.
Joining the calls for police accountability was the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania, which issued a statement on Wednesday saying that the police seemed to have “disregarded the basic humanity of this boy when they chose to use lethal force.”
Speaking from the front steps of the courthouse, Brandi Fisher, president of the nonprofit Alliance for Police Accountability, thanked the woman who filmed the shootingon her cell phone.
“If we didn’t have that video, we’d be forced to believe the lies they’re about to tell,” Ms. Fisher said. McDonough and Lt. Andy
Also speaking in front of Schurman and received a detailed the courthouse, Jasiri X, the and thorough briefing founder of activist group on the officer-involved shooting 1Hood Media, said whatever in East Pittsburgh that resulted decision comes from the in the death of Antwon shooting will stand as a “referendum Rose,” the statement said. on District Attorney “The investigation remains Stephen Zappala.” ongoingat this time.
“He has always stood “Out of respect for the with brutalizing police officers grieving process that the and has never stood family and friends of Mr. with the black and brown Rose are going through and people of Allegheny the upcoming Monday funeral County,” Jasiri X said. for Mr. Rose, District
Jasiri X also encouraged Attorney Zappala will not protesters to sign a have any further comment Change.org petition to create until next week.” a countywide civilian review As of noon Thursday, a board. fundraiser through the
At least one volunteer was website GoFundMe had circling the crowd registering raised nearly $4,000 for protesters to vote, according Antwon’s family to help to one speaker. with funeral costs.
Mike Manko, a spokesman Also on Thursday, Tim with the Allegheny Stevens, chairman and County District Attorney’s CEO of the Black Political Office, said in a statement Empowerment Project, that the case is still being reviewed. raised the idea of the “Due Process Act,” proposed
“DistrictAttorney Zappala state legislation that would met this morning with Allegheny require police killings to be County Police Superintendent investigated by the Pennsylvania ColemanPennsylvania attorney general. He said the legislation would ensure a greater level of fairness and objectivity in investigations into cases like Antwon’s.
Mr. Manko said the DA has shown his support for the legislation in the past.
“It is unclear to us whether the Attorney General has ever taken a position on this legislation and whether he has engaged lawmakers in an effort to move this idea through the legislative process,” he said.
State Attorney General Josh Shapiro said in a statement Thursday that he has no jurisdiction to investigate Antwon’s death unless he receives a referral from Mr. Zappala.
“The death of 17-year-old Antwon Rose is a tragedy,” Mr. Shapiro said. “I hear the outrage of the people in East Pittsburgh. The case is being investigated by Allegheny County police and the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office. Under Pennsylvania law, I do not have jurisdiction to investigate this matter unless I receive a referral from District Attorney Zappala. The loss of any young life is deeply painful, and I expect local law enforcement to give this the thorough investigation it deserves.”
Some in the crowd criticized Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto over his comments on Twitter after the shooting that sought to clarify the difference between the city of Pittsburgh and the borough of East Pittsburgh. One sign had the words “North,” “South, “East” and “West” crossed out, with “Pgh” below it.
“If you want to seem progressive, Pittsburgh, now is your chance. … America is watching us,” another sign read.
Organizers said they planned to march to the Allegheny County council meeting on July 10, and they encouraged residents with stories of police brutality to join them.