PGHIMC - Pittsburgh Independent Media Center

On Saturday, March 24th, one day after the House voted to give Bush another $100 billion to continue wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, 1,200 took to the streets of Oakland to demand, "Education not Occupation, Healthcare not Warfare, Buses not Bombs," and Bring the Troops Home Now."

Leading the 1.5 mile march organized by the Thomas Merton Center Anti-War Committee were members of Iraq Vets Against the War and Veterans for Peace, followed by high school and college students comprising a "youth against enlistment" contingent. Adding to the festive nature of the march was a marching band and a cluster of anarchists carrying more than a dozen large black flags.

A separate "feeder march" organized by the Anti-War Committee and SEIU 1199P stepped off from the VA Hospital in North Oakland, in which activists sought to draw attention to the inadequate health care and treatment of thousands of wounded Iraq vets. There was also a women's feeder march organized by CodePink and other women's group and a feeder that began at the Friends Meeting House in Oakland.

Saturday's march capped off anniversary actions that started last week. On Saturday, March 18, Pittsburghers boarded a bus to Washington DC for a March on the Pentagon. On Monday night, Pittsburghers Against War Supplementals held a vigil outside Congressmen Mike Doyle's office, and Pittsburgh Organizing Group picketed the Oakland recruiting station before marching to CMU. From Friday night through Saturday morning, as many as 60 activists stopped by an all-night candlelight vigil at the Community of Reconciliation Church in Oakland.

[ photos 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 |  Rustbelt Radio coverage ]

On Friday March 2nd the Pittsburgh Organizing Group and other activists from Pittsburgh, Ohio, and Chicago came together early in the morning to protest Carnegie Mellon University's National Robotics Engineering Center. Organizing under the slogan "Barricade the War Machine," they succeeded in hutting down the Lawrenceville facility for the day.  NREC is a largely Pentagon-funded venture of CMU, and it has become a world leader in warfare robotics.

In order to disrupt the normal proceedings at NREC, a blockade of their front and rear entrances was organized.  A tripod, which suspended an activist 15 feet in the air, also prevented people from entering the building. In total, thirty-four people blockaded the main entrances to the facility in the largest act of civil disobedience in Pittsburgh since the war in Iraq began. For several hours, police were unable to cut the protestors loose, which allowed the blockade to last for over 5 hours.

Members of POG are declaring the action a success. As of 4:00 AM, on Saturday March 3rd, all 14 arrestees were arraigned and released. They are being charged with failure to disperse, obstruction of a public highway, and possession of instruments of a crime with criminal intent. Those who live in the Pittsburgh area were released on their own recognizance, while non-locals had to post a $100 bail. Their hearing will take place March 8th.

[ Report | Photos | link to video ]

On Tuesday, June 21st, representatives from two Iraqi labor unions visited Pittsburgh as part of US Labor Against the War's Tour of Iraqi National Labor Leaders. The purpose of the tour is to create a cross-cultural dialogue about the US occupation of Iraq and its effect on working people in both countries.

[  read more |  audio |  video torrent ]

On Saturday, May 14th, twenty members and supporters of Pittsburgh Organizing Group (POG) shut down the primary military recruitment center in Pittsburgh. Located in the heart of Oakland, the neighborhood where three of Pittsburgh's universities are located, the center serves as the operation base for multiple army recruitment teams. Saturday's action was the second time in three weeks that POG stymied military recruitment in Oakland.

[ read more | POG counter-recruitment action at CMU ]

Almost 3,000 protestors came out under grey skies to mark the second anniversary of the beginning of the Iraq War. They marched more than 2 miles from Squirrel Hill to Oakland. The crowd was peaceful and boisterous, with a marching band and a donkey (for Palm Sunday) joining the crowd.

[ March photos: 1 2 3 4 5 6 ]

For four days in November, Pittsburgh had a taste of popular revolt. Emphasizing health care, public transit, the dangers of a massacre in Fallujah, and drawing attention to mass-disenfranchisement and the flaws in the electoral system in the United States, activists held back-to-back demonstrations in an unprecedented week of action for peace and justice.

Wednesday, Nov. 3 -- Some angry at Bush, others angry at the System, as many as 250 protesters threw down the gauntlet in Oakland on the day after the (s)election.

Following a brief rally on the steps of the Software Engineering Institute at 6 pm, an energetic crowd snaked through the streets of Oakland in what many described as the rowdiest action since the invasion of Iraq first began. One dozen bucket drums--accompanied by a chorus of cowbells, sticks, shakers and chants--grabbed the attention of students in dorms and eateries, some of whom joined in and helped stop rush-our traffic on Forbes, one of Pittsburgh's busiest arteries. The protest was non-violent, but marchers chalked the streets of Oakland, lit ablaze American flags and newspapers, ceremoniously obliterated a red, white and blue balloon float that had been rescued from a campus election party, and used barricades to defend themselves from police aggression. Two activists were arrested and eventually released on $500 bond and charges of disorderly conduct. Similar "beyond voting" demonstrations took place in cities across the country.

[ Accounts: March Overview | Harassment during jail solidarity | Status of one arrestee | Both arrestees have been freed Photos: 1 2 3 4 5 | audio | video | BeyondVoting.org ]

Thursday, Nov. 4 -- Chanting "busses not bombs!", about 90 public transit riders braved the rain and marched across the Smithfield bridge to the Sheraton Station Square, the location for the Port Authority public hearing on the demise of public transit. The hearing concerned a proposal to cut weekend and nighttime service, shut down 70 routes, layoff 500 employees, and raise fares to boot. Once the marchers arrived at the Sheraton, they stormed the building chanting "no more fare hikes, no more service cuts" and occupied the front of the hearing chambers for ten minutes before allowing the proceedings to get underway.

[ Photo | Video | Save Our Transit | previous features 1 2 ]

Friday, Nov. 5 -- About 35 people re-visited Centre City Tower for a lively lunchtime health care and justice for janitors solidarity rally. Last year, nine janitors were laid off by Centre City Tower when the company decided to hire non-union workers so as to avoid paying their health care benefits. Demanding that the company restore the janitors jobs, complete with healthcare benefits, pension, and living wages, a dozen protesters entered the building with bucket drums, signs and informational flyers chanting "No justice, no peace," "We're not going away" and "This is just the beginning" while supporters stood outside and cheered. Building security called the police, but the protesters exited the building before the police had a chance to threaten them with arrest. Organizers, who regard the Centre City Towers case as emblematic of the health care crisis in this community, say they will continually escalate the intensity of their campaign against until their demands are met.

[ photo | video | TMC healthcare campaign | previous feature 1 ]

Saturday, Nov 6 -- Oakland was once again the setting for resistance as activist gatherings and protests went on throughout the day. The day began with a four-hour "Post-Election Town Meeting on Building a Progressive Movement," in which 250 individuals packed the William Pitt Union to participate in a post-election analysis and discussion on strategies and tactics for building the movement. Following the town meeting, members of Code Pink (each wearing pink) lined the Soldiers and Sailors wall with letter-placards that spelled out "women say no to war." They were soon joined by members of Women in Black (each wearing black), who unfurled a banner listing the names of victims of the Israeli occupation of Palestine and who performed a informative and entertaining puppet show.

At around 3:30, activists gathered at the William Pitt Union patio for a brief anti-war rally featuring performances by the Raging Grannies and Radical Cheerleaders. Following the rally, a lively bucket drumming brigrade and about 200 protesters filed past eateries on South Craig as a march sloped around the Pitt Campus, sticking to the sidewalks. Some of the marchers stopped back at Soldiers and Sailors for a peace circle, while others continued to snake throughout Oakland in the hopes of recapturing some of Wednesday's energy, stopping at two military recruiting stations. A heavy police presence including K-9 units may have stifled further actions, but activists vow to keep up the momentum, particularly as the U.S. is poised to massacre innocents in Fallujah.

[ photo | video ]

Code Pink, along with other peace organizations, sponsored an emergency candlelight vigil in Frick Park Thursday night. A group of about 100 gathered on the corner of Forbes and Braddock Avenue to remember the 1000 Americans and 13,000 Iraqis who have died.

Among those present were WWII veteran Dan Bolef, who fought in the Battle of the Bulge; Regina Birchen, a Pittsburgher who was recently elected International President of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, and Judy Focareta of Code Pink.

[ Read More w/photos | Code Pink: Pittsburgh ]

[ Other vigils around the US: Union Square, NYC, more | Minneapolis/St. Paul | Portland/Eugene, OR | DC: Parents and Veterans speak out ]

On a Saturday around noon, about thirty protesters gathered in East Liberty to protest the abuse and torture of prisoners in Iraq. Organized by the Thomas Merton Center's Anti-War Committee, some protesters re-enacted the infamous photos of Abu Ghraib prison abuse. The event was scheduled to occur before the weekly peace vigil in East Liberty held by Pittsburgh's chapter of a group called Black Voices for Peace.

The demonstration was similar to a recent action in Boston which resulted in felony charges against the protester.

Members of Pittsburgh Indymedia's Radio Collective went to Downtown Pittsburgh to interview people on their response to the images of torture at Abu Ghraib, and how they felt the response has been. A wide range of opinions were represented.

[ Demonstration against Iraqi Torture | Street Interviews on Abu Ghraib Torture]

In remembrance of those who have recently died, as well as to denounce the torture and humiliation of Iraqis by U.S. troops, Pittsburgh Organizing Group held a silent "funeral procession" on Sunday, May 16th in Oakland. The march toured past local institutions with specific ties to the war. Flyers to bring about awareness of the ties between CMU and the military were also distributed to passers-by.

[ Read More ]

[ Photos 1 2 | Audio | POG call to action | CMU handout ]

From PhillyIMC - Charles A. Graner, Jr., an army reservist cited in a military report as supervising the torture of Iraqi prisoners, is currently employed as a prison guard at the State Correctional Institution at Greene in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, according to the PA Abolitionists. SCI-Greene is a super-maximum security prison 50 miles south of Pittsburgh and home to the overwhelming majority of the state's death row prisoners including Mumia Abu-Jamal.

[ Full Story: Currently Employed PA Prison Guard Supervised Torture of Iraqis | Death Row Exoneree Nick Yarris Knew Pa. Prison Guard in Iraqi Abuse | Wed May 12 Press Conference: Stop All Prisoner Abuse! ]

[ Graner at Abu Ghraib | Other articles about Abu Ghraib 1 2 ]

Under a heavy downpour, more than 2000 people from all over Western Pennsylvania and Ohio gathered in Pittsburgh to mark the 1-year anniversary of the beginning of the War in Iraq this Saturday, making it the largest protest in Pittsburgh since just before the war began. They gathered at Flagstaff Hill in Oakland, then marched to the University of Pittsburgh's William Pitt Union. A contingent of protestors also occupied a building at Carnegie Mellon University for several hours in protest of that university's extensive military ties.

Among those speaking at the rally was Susan Snyder of the United Nations office of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom.

"Why did we go into Iraq? We went in because we were looking for weapons of mass destruction," said Snyder. "Well I want to tell you, I found where those weapons are. They're in Nebraska, they're in California, they're in Utah, they're in Maine and Massachusetts. They're all over this country."

Members of the 122 Pittsburghers who were arrested at an anti-war demonstration one year earlier led the crowd in chanting "Not one more lie! Not one more day! Not one more death!" Protestors were calling for an immediate end to the occupation of Iraq.

Despite a heavy police presence, no protestors were arrested and the events remained peaceful. Carnegie Mellon Police had initially planned to block any off-campus protestors from entering any CMU building, but changed their minds at the last moment. Students had been warned days in advance of the weekend that some protestors would be targeting the university. About 100 protestors entered and briefly occupied the University Center at 5000 Forbes Avenue. Carnegie Mellon Chief of Police monitored the protests, but took no action.

[ Breaking News Archives: M20 actions | raid on medic house | m19 lockdown ]
[ Photos: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 ]
[ Rally audio (mp3/vorbis) ]
[ Video! M19 Memorial | Tear Down the Wall | Rally | March | Sit-in (video clips coming soon) ]

A crowd estimated at up to or over 500 gathered at Frick Park today for a peaceful rally and march against the war.

Several speakers, including Jules Lobel of the US Center for Constitutional Rights and Rev. Jack O'Malley of the Association of Pittsburgh Priests, explained why they oppose this war and support our troops at the same time. The crowd then marched down Braddock Avenue into Regent Square, where police attacked protestors with pepper spray (after having moved everyone onto the sidewalk).

Four (reports now say three) marchers were arrested and are being held at the Allegheny County Jail.

Supporters are once again encouraged to come down to the Municipal Courts Building, where the arrestees will be released eventually.

Update: three confirmed arrests by Edgewood police; arrestees have been moved from Edgewood/Swissvale to the Municipal Court/County Jail. Hearings will happen tonight (sunday night/monday morning, 12:15am).
M31 update: all three arrestees released.

Photos: [1] [2] [3] [4] Video: [1] Accounts: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] Audio: [1], Transcribed audio: [1]

In an eventful weekend of anti-war and anti-police brutality actions, over 120 demonstrators were arrested, and many beaten by the police. All have been released. For those demonstrators intending to pursue legal action against the police, there is a meeting at the Pitt Law School to discuss the next steps. The arrests have led to significant heckling from aggressive hecklers, but also intelligent discussion of tactics

Related news:

A first-hand account of spending 23 hours in prison
Audio of M21: Interviews & rally sounds
Breaking news from March 21: [1] [2]
Breaking news from March 20: [1]

The day after the war on Iraq began, close to 1,000 protestors came to downtown Pittsburgh to voice their opposition to the war. After a brief rally at the Federal Building, protestors marched throughout downtown and into the South Side. The protests ended in the mass arrests of at least 122 peaceful demonstrators.

Earlier in the day, the Student Strike Rowdy Student Brigade disrupted classes at the University of Pittsburgh and one student was arrested. [1] [1]

After the evening's rally that began at 5:00, a peaceful but disruptive unpermitted march went through the city, ending by police boxing in the remaining protestors and mass arresting them.

Personal Accounts: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
Photos of the rally & march: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]
Reports from the police station: [1] [2], Jail solidarity: [1]
Video: [ 1]

Seventy-five university students and faculty from all over the country participated in a protest against George Bush in the middle of the ocean. Sailing on the University of Pittsburgh's Semester at Sea program, a significant portion of the ship stood in solidarity against the war in Iraq.

[ Read more, with links to photos ]

Between 400-500 people rallied at the William Pitt Union today to listen to a range of speakers against the war in Iraq. The rally was followed by an unpermitted march that snaked through Oakland, leaving police officers confused and sometimes agressive [ 1 | 2 ], but ending without arrest.

A tense moment during the march ocurred when police and protestors faced off at St Paul's Cathedral at Fifth and Craig Street. They faced off for about 20 minutes, but eventually the police decided to disperse after talking to one young woman who explained that they were blocking traffic, and the protest ended without incident.

March organizers from the Pittsburgh Organizing Group charge that the city's permit process, which requires an application 45 days in advance, is unconstitutional.

[ Full story ] [ Photos | 1 2 3 4 5 6] [ Video | 1 2 ]

In a unanimous decision on March 4, the Pittsburgh City Council passed a resolution urging President Bush to seek alternatives to war, placing it among at least 125 cities to pass anti-war resolutions world wide.

The resolution was sponsored by Councilman Bill Peduto (District 8) and was supported by over 1400 signatures of Pittsburgh residents. Heavy lobbying on behalf of the bill was spearheaded by the Thomas Merton Center's Anti-War Committee and the Rosenberg Institute for Peace and Justice.

The Borough of Wilkinsburg passed their own anti-war resolution just over a week ago, and the Carnegie Mellon Student Senate is also considering passing an anti-war resolution.

[ Full Story ] [ Resolution text ] [ Rally Coverage ] [ Original Callout ] [ Wilkinsburg ] [ Carnegie Mellon | 1 2 3 ]

The Pittsburgh Regional Anti-War Convergence on the weekend of January 24th-26th saw a range of different events and a diverse group of participants, part of what organizers with the Pittsburgh Organizing Group and Garfield-based Thomas Merton Center called a "diversity of tactics." Read on for a summary of the different events, compiled by reporters for the Pittsburgh and Cleveland Independent Media Centers.

Local network of support made weekend a success [ Full story ]
Workshops [ Full story ]
Trainings [ Full story ]
Concerts Friday, Saturday night [ Full story ] [ interview with EMcee Lynx ] [ photos of metal detectors ]
Professors for Peace Teach-in, Pink Bloc actions Photos
2,000 Parade on Carson Street on Saturday [ Full story ]
Steeler's fans against the war Photos: [1] [2] [3] [4]
Breakaway March Minor scuffles with police.
Doug Rokke: human costs of depleted uranium [ Full story ]
Carnegie Mellon Against the War [ Full story ] [Photos] [Video (available soon)]
Sunday March on Fifth/Forbes [March route]
Rally at CMU's Software Engineering Institute Photos: [1] [2]
Demonstrators "die-in" for peace. [ Personal Account ] | Photos: [1] [2] [3]
Breakaway march snakes through city [ Full story ] [ Extended Discussion/Personal Accounts ]
[ Black bloc communique ] Photos: [1] [2] | [March route]
Breakaway march meets die-in [ Full story ] | Photos: [1] [2]

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