Peace rallies in Pittsburgh counter the threat of White nationalist gatherings

PASTOR DERYCK TINES enlightens and inspires the crowd at Pittsburgh’s Prayer for Peace Rally, Aug. 18. (Photo by Emmai Alaquiva)

A day earlier, Friday, Aug. 18, the City of Pittsburgh sponsored its own rally against hate at the City-County Building. Hundreds attended that rally, as dignitaries from every racial and ethnic background took center stage.
“We’re here today for one simple reason; that where there’s hate, we are going to show love,” Mayor Bill Peduto told the crowd, Downtown. “Where there’s darkness, we are going to show light. And where there are people that are feeling upset and scared, we are going to give them security.

“There’s been a lot of anger that’s been spread across this city, across this country, and that’s not the way we do it in Pittsburgh.”
Back at Westinghouse Park, the rest of the Aug. 19 afternoon saw supporters conversing, eating, spreading positive messages, and inviting those to continue the fight towards racial justice and equality.

The signs during the Saturday march and at the park were held—and heard —loud and clear; “Black Is Brilliant,” “Black Lives Matter;” “Love Trumps Hate,” and “Hate Is Not Welcome Here,” among a host of others.

Little Amenah may not be able to understand the meaning of those signs today. But her attendance at the rally was a sign that her mother, Sarah, is truly invested in her daughter’s future. “It was important to bring Amenah because I know she will be seen as a Black woman in this world, and that is not an experience I can speak on or share with her (Nielsen is White, Amenah is bi-racial). “But I can guide her to be a part of a community and show her there are people fighting for justice, that her voice matters and that she is strong and brilliant.”
 
Like us at https://www.facebook.com/pages/New-Pittsburgh-Courier/143866755628836?ref=hl
Follow @NewPghCourier on Twitter  https://twitter.com/NewPghCourier

About Post Author

Comments

From the Web

Skip to content