PGHIMC - Pittsburgh Independent Media Center

Over 2000 in the streets for the Parade for Peace!
by emma Saturday, Jan. 25, 2003 at 1:24 PM
emma@indypgh.org (email address validated)

More than 2000 people marched for peace in the southside today!

More than 2000 residents and out-of-towners marched together today, in a mass four blocks long and a full-street wide down Carson Street from Station Square to the Birmingham and beyond.

The march's permit extended only to the Birmingham Bridge (by 22nd Street), and the march paused there with much celebration and dancing led by Hispanics for Peace. Minutes later, it continued unpermitted about 9 more blocks, to the FBI building.


Sentiment in the South Side was very positive and residents leaned out their windows to show support. The only counter-protesters were two men costumed as Arabs, bearing "Kill Me" signs. Many more creative and positive signs abounded, including "Penn Trafford students believe in peace" and "Wiccans for Peace."

The parade had quieted down and people began to disperse when the Zombie marching band and the Steelers Bloc raised energy with drumming and chants of "We love Pittsburgh/ We hate war!"

During the entirely peaceful, colorful, and cheerful march, police remained respectful of free speech rights, and confrontations were minimal. No arrests have been reported, and no police were wearing riot gear. Roughly ten policemen on horseback and several on bicycle monitored the march but did not interfere.

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