PITTSBURGH — A steady stream of boats headed up the Monongahela River toward the Hot Metal Bridge while a crowd of protesters clashed with supporters on the riverwalk Saturday.
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I’m seeing a steady stream of boats traveling up to Monongahela for the pro trump boat parade @WPXIMikeHolden @WPXIRickEarle @WPXIMelanie @DavidWPXI @JillKGreenwood @tgray22 @WPXI pic.twitter.com/g4t5OeZY3N
— Stephen Banfield (@coachtvnews) July 4, 2020
Hundreds of boats and thousands of people were expected to take part in a boat parade in support of President Donald Trump. Most supporting Trump were dressed in red, white and blue and didn’t have masks.
As chanting escalated back and forth between Trump supporters and protesters, mounted police positioned themselves between the two groups.
Trump supporters and anti-trump protesters are chanting back-and-forth at each other here on Pittsburgh North Shore @Cstonewpxinews @JillKGreenwood @WPXI @WPXIMelanie @dvesean @WPXIMikeHolden @WPXIRickEarle @WPXIAaronMartin pic.twitter.com/0kTXMqun8Q
— Stephen Banfield (@coachtvnews) July 4, 2020
Trump supporters and Black Lives Matter meet on the Monogahela River in @CityPGH #WPXI pic.twitter.com/DRuVIr0hJM
— Gigi (@wpxigigi) July 4, 2020
Tensions heightened as the two sides began yelling and cursing at each other on the riverwalk. Additional police officers responded to the scene, creating a barrier.
>>>RELATED: More than 10,000 people signed up for Trump boat parade, rally in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh police were on scene monitoring the situation.
Heavy police presence here on the north shore as pro and anti-trump people exchange vulgarity @WPXIMelanie @WPXIRickEarle @tgray22 @JillKGreenwood @JillKGreenwood @WPXI @WPXIAaronMartin @WPXIAaronMartin pic.twitter.com/IlwbbtcA9M
— Stephen Banfield (@coachtvnews) July 4, 2020
“This was supposed to be a nice Trump rally on boats. It was very well organized, but for these people to show up and do this is so wrong,” said Maggie Jayson, a Pittsburgh resident. “And we are going to demonstrate peacefully, ‘cause that’s our right. And as long as we’re doing it in the right manor, we can do that.”
After less than an hour, police escorted Trump supporters from the pier in what ended as a non-violent -- but also not entirely peaceful -- Fourth of July gathering.
Trump supporters and counter protesters are yelling and cursing at each other on the river walk. Still non-violent, but not entirely peaceful as emotions are running high. Avoid the area. https://t.co/oEGZAjmrXk
— Pgh Public Safety (@PghPublicSafety) July 4, 2020
Crowd is dispersing. No incidents to report. https://t.co/CsXzaIxwos
— Pgh Public Safety (@PghPublicSafety) July 4, 2020
Several pro-Trump boaters are on the water. All is peaceful at this time. Reminder to everyone outside: It's hot. Please stay hydrated. https://t.co/U3gEK3c8K2
— Pgh Public Safety (@PghPublicSafety) July 4, 2020
Police are on scene and monitoring. Public Safety does and will continue to respect everyone's 1st Amendment rights. However, throwing or dropping objects or suspending signs from bridges is prohibited and will result in immediate arrest. Stay safe, everyone. https://t.co/UhrUVu5SIy
— Pgh Public Safety (@PghPublicSafety) July 4, 2020
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