Four arrested at North Side jobs, development protest
Pittsburgh police arrested four people today during a protest over jobs and development on the North Shore.
Protesters from neighborhood group Northside United gathered in front of the Del Monte Building on North Shore Drive at 11 a.m. to demand that Pittsburgh officials broker a community benefits agreement between the organization and developers on the North Shore.
"We have been trying for more than two years to draw attention to the fact that the city is giving our land away for ballparks, stadiums and casinos, but they aren't giving anything back to the community," said Michael Glass, co-chair of Northside United.
"Our children are dropping out of school, shooting each other and doing drugs and the city is ruining the North Side."
Two women and two men were arrested for blocking the entrance of the Del Monte Building. Three were released with a summons.
Paradise Gray, founder of the neighborhood activism group One Hood Coalition Against Violence was taken to the Allegheny County Jail because he could not produce a valid ID, said police Cmdr. RaShall Brackney.
"We knew about this protest in advance and we were told they wanted at least four of their members to be arrested," Brackney said. "Unfortunately, when groups are trying to get their message out they will sometimes use the system to do it."
Protesters from neighborhood group Northside United gathered in front of the Del Monte Building on North Shore Drive at 11 a.m. to demand that Pittsburgh officials broker a community benefits agreement between the organization and developers on the North Shore.
"We have been trying for more than two years to draw attention to the fact that the city is giving our land away for ballparks, stadiums and casinos, but they aren't giving anything back to the community," said Michael Glass, co-chair of Northside United.
"Our children are dropping out of school, shooting each other and doing drugs and the city is ruining the North Side."
Two women and two men were arrested for blocking the entrance of the Del Monte Building. Three were released with a summons.
Paradise Gray, founder of the neighborhood activism group One Hood Coalition Against Violence was taken to the Allegheny County Jail because he could not produce a valid ID, said police Cmdr. RaShall Brackney.
"We knew about this protest in advance and we were told they wanted at least four of their members to be arrested," Brackney said. "Unfortunately, when groups are trying to get their message out they will sometimes use the system to do it."