The protest was organized by People Against Police Violence (PAPV), which was formed in January amid rising condemnation of a series of cop killings of Blacks in Pittsburgh. The victims of these shootings included Michael Hunter, Bernard Rogers, and Charles Dixon, all killed since September. The death of Damian Jordan while in police custody in 1999 has also come to light.
People from Uniontown, Pennsylvania, who have been protesting the killing of 12-year-old Michael Ellerbe on Christmas Eve, joined the demonstration.
Members of Ellerbe’s family, and of the families of Rogers and Dixon, addressed the crowd.
PAPV founder Renee Wilson kicked off the march by outlining the facts in all the cases. "We are here to say no!" she said. "We will not tolerate police that are criminals and hide behind the badge. . . we march because the court refuses to hold them accountable for their crimes. We march because they still have guns and their jobs."
Oliver Montgomery of the Penn Hills NAACP, told the story of his uncle who was shot in the back by a cop, while his hands were up against a wall, 60 years ago. "What has changed in 60 years?" he asked.
Joyce Rogers, mother of Bernard Rogers who was shot to death by the Housing Authority cops on November 15, thanked the crowd.
On March 13, County Coroner Cyril Wecht recommended that homicide charges be filed against police officer Tonyea Curry, who shot Bernard Rogers. Eyewitnesses said that Rogers received the fatal bullets as he fled down a flight of stairs.
The shooting had no "legal basis," said Wecht. "Mr. Rogers did not have any weapon on him. There were no drugs on him," he added, contradicting the assertions of police, who said the 26-year-old was in possession of a packet of marijuana.
The case is now in the hands of the district attorney, who will decide whether or not to file charges. The killing is also the subject of a federal civil rights inquiry.
Marty Ressler is a meat packer and member of UFCW Local 23.
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