Hundreds march to ICE offices in Pittsburgh following Minneapolis shooting

Following a nationwide day of protests, hundreds of Pittsburghers marched through the South Side to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office. Chants, singing and moments of silence took over the hour. Organizers said Sunday’s demonstration was not only a protest, but also a somber gathering to honor people killed by ICE agents, including a woman killed in Minneapolis last week.“Somebody was murdered in broad daylight by an agent of the state,” said Paul Johnson from Lawrenceville. “They’d done nothing wrong. They’re only trying to make sure the people they love and care for had their civil rights protected. So it’s just not an acceptable state of affairs.”The crowd also celebrated newly elected Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O’Connor’s announcement that Pittsburgh police will not cooperate with ICE.“That should be a basic policy statement,” said Caitlin Brace from Lawrenceville. “Yeah, and I hope when they say that they won’t cooperate, that it means that they’ll protect citizens of Pittsburgh,” added Johnson. Acting police Chief Jason Lando helped his officers with traffic control during the march to show his commitment to the community.“Our job is not immigration enforcement,” Lando said. “Our job is to make sure that the people in Pittsburgh feel comfortable picking up the phone and calling the police when they need help. And the last thing I would want is for someone to not do that and not call the police because they’re concerned that the first thing that we’re going to do is ask immigration status.”

PITTSBURGH —

Following a nationwide day of protests, hundreds of Pittsburghers marched through the South Side to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office.

Chants, singing and moments of silence took over the hour. Organizers said Sunday’s demonstration was not only a protest, but also a somber gathering to honor people killed by ICE agents, including a woman killed in Minneapolis last week.

“Somebody was murdered in broad daylight by an agent of the state,” said Paul Johnson from Lawrenceville. “They’d done nothing wrong. They’re only trying to make sure the people they love and care for had their civil rights protected. So it’s just not an acceptable state of affairs.”

The crowd also celebrated newly elected Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O’Connor’s announcement that Pittsburgh police will not cooperate with ICE.

“That should be a basic policy statement,” said Caitlin Brace from Lawrenceville.

“Yeah, and I hope when they say that they won’t cooperate, that it means that they’ll protect citizens of Pittsburgh,” added Johnson.

Acting police Chief Jason Lando helped his officers with traffic control during the march to show his commitment to the community.

“Our job is not immigration enforcement,” Lando said. “Our job is to make sure that the people in Pittsburgh feel comfortable picking up the phone and calling the police when they need help. And the last thing I would want is for someone to not do that and not call the police because they’re concerned that the first thing that we’re going to do is ask immigration status.”