Protesters disrupt Downtown rush hour
Demonstrators seek justice for Antwon
About 50 protesters blocked a number of Downtown streets during rush hour Monday afternoon and continued to ask for justice in the police-shooting death of Antwon Rose II.
It has been almost one month since Antwon, 17, was shot by East Pittsburgh police Officer Michael Rosfeld after the teen ran from a vehicle during a traffic stop June 19. The demonstrators braved the sweltering heat during rush hour, determined to keep Antwon’s death in the public consciousness.
The protest began at the CityCounty Building and worked its way toward the Boulevard of the Allies at Grant Street. Commuters trying to make their way home from Downtown, as well as those who rely on public transportation, were delayed during the demonstration. Some drivers simply turned around as the protesters approached.
The protest did not go off without incident. Pittsburgh police spokesman Chris Togneri said that at about 5 p.m., a
motorist and protesters clashed at Third Avenue and Grant Street. Mr. Togneri said the motorist told police he was assaulted by the protesters, while the demonstrators said he tried to drive through the crowd. The driver was detained so police could take his statement.
Mr. Togneri said no arrests were made in connection with the protest. The incident at Third Avenue is being investigated, he said.
A video of the incident shows the man trying to drive through the intersection in his GMC truck when a man — apparently one of the protesters — punches the driver at least once and attempts to pull him from his vehicle.
The protesters, some of whom wore placards saying “Justice for Antwon Rose Jr.,”said they were prepared to remain on the Downtown streets all night, though the demonstration had ended by 8 p.m., police said.
About 5:30 p.m., the Boulevard of the Allies was blocked between Cherry Way and Smithfield Street. Pittsburgh police in riot gear formed a line in front of the protesters at Grant Street. The police moved twice, first to allow a motorist through, then an outbound ambulance. Shortly thereafter, the officers shed their riot gear.
Some 20 minutes later, the protesters moved down the Boulevard of the Allies and blocked the roadway at Wood Street near Point Park University. While there, an older African-American man confronted the protesters, telling them he was trying to get home and didn’t like being inconvenienced.
“I worked all day,” the man said.
From there, the protest moved on to PPG Place, where a young white woman was holding a sign that read “White People Kill Your Bias & Stop Killing Black People.” At Market Square, the demonstrators implored anyone who was 17 years old — Antwon’s age when he was killed — to speak. One such young woman made an impassioned plea.
“How would you feel if your child was killed?” she said. “My generation will keep fighting. We will stand up for each other. It is up to us to fight and get whatever we want.”
Later, the protest moved down Liberty Avenue and back to Grant Street. By this time, young children were asked to move to the front of the line amid the rest of the demonstrators.
At that point, the protesters directed their anger at a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporter covering the event. They objected to the reporter asking for the identification of the most vocal demonstrators. One demonstrator did identify herself only as Nicky Jo. A Post-Gazette photographer identified her as activist Nicky Jo Dawson
“You see that man in the green shirt,” said one of the protesters, speaking through a megaphone while pointing at the reporter. “We’re not talking to him anymore.”
Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. filed a criminal homicide charge against Officer Rosfeld after Antwon’s death. Officer Rosfeld remains on house arrest and faces a preliminary hearing July 27.