Hundreds marched from Mt. Washington to Market Square

PITTSBURGH — Hundreds of people marched from Mt. Washington to Market Square on Sunday evening in a peaceful protest over the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.

The group gathered around 4 p.m. at the overlook near the Monongahela Incline. The overlook was decorated with white balloons and a podium was set up for several speakers.

Organizers told Channel 11′s Michele Newell that the balloons represent lives that have been lost due to police brutality.

A sea of white balloons in Mt. Washington right now. Organizers of this protest say the balloons represent lives that have been lost to police brutality. pic.twitter.com/9RNgQyjymj
— Michele Newell (@micheleWPXI) June 7, 2020

The crowd was so large that police blocked off Grandview Avenue.

Just before 5 p.m., the crowd began marching along Grandview Avenue to PJ McArdle Roadway and then down the hill to Arlington Avenue.

Protestors locking arms on PJ McArdle Roadway, headed towards the liberty bridge chanting songs of justice. Police are a head of them blocking off roads — to keep everyone safe. Expect traffic delays. pic.twitter.com/m8bHfUDhTR
— Michele Newell (@micheleWPXI) June 7, 2020

One moment to remember was the voice of a 6-year-old girl leading the protesters. She shouted, “No justice. No peace. We fight for equality.”

Her mother was one of four people who organized the march.

“That’s my daughter and honestly it was tear jerking because it just shows that someone as young as six is watching and they are listening to us. What we do now and what we say now, it matters,” Dasia Clemons said.

Protesters sat down on along Arlington Avenue and held a moment of silence for George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.

“It’s just crazy to me that we are still doing this. It’s 2020," said Kyna James, a PICB member. "Why are we still out here protesting about racism?”

They then made their way to the Smithfield Street Bridge where they crossed over the Monongahela River and into downtown Pittsburgh.

The march ended in Market Square.

According to Pittsburgh Public Safety, the crowd was so large, it filled the entire square.

This was the second event for the group Pittsburgh, I Can’t Breathe. The group said their fight for justice doesn’t stop at protests. They have more specific demands.

“We want to sit with you personally the four of us. We have demands for our people so if you’re really with us the way you say you are, make that happen,” James said.

Clemons said the group is challenging the chief of police to drop all charges filed against peaceful protesters.