PGHIMC - Pittsburgh Independent Media Center

Anti-war march takes over streets
by Quinten Sunday, Mar. 16, 2003 at 8:02 PM
quinten@indypgh.org (email address validated)

Closte to 1,000 took over the streets for more than 3 hours today to bring their anti-war message to Pittsburgh.

Today's march was, with the exception of the march on January 26, the largest I have ever seen in Pittsburgh. Based on rallies where we have actually counted the protestors and the overhead views I have seen, I think 800-1,000 is easily a low estimate for the total number attending.

For those who didn't make it to the end, the march started at Flagstaff Hill at about 3:00, and wound throughout Shadyside and then through Oakland once more, not coming to an end until it reached the Starbucks in Squirrel Hill just as the sun was setting, at 6:00.

At the gas station near the corner of Forbes and Craig, some members of the march overturned a display of motor oil cans. The crowd paused for several minutes and started chanting "no blood for oil."

The crowd varied in numbers, with a lot of people joining us in Oakland, but dropping off when the trek started up towards Squirrel Hill. At that point, when we reached Margaret Morrison Street, some of the organizers announced that if people wanted to, they should return to Flagstaff Hill, but some would continue marching.

About 130 die hard marchers made it all the way to the Starbucks, where the march dissipated. Until that point, marchers were in the street the entire way. The police were barely visible, which was surprising given their heavy handed tactics two weeks ago. I think I saw about 5-10 police cars in total, with no billyclubs in sight.

Good work on the part of the many bicyclists who helped to direct traffic away from the march, and for the people who brought water to share with everyone. It was a safe and very positive march. I saw many parents with their young children in the march, some who even stayed until the very end.

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