Black Lives Matter in Squirrel Hill

Here in Squirrel Hill, we take pride in being a welcoming, diverse community. Last weekend, many Squirrel Hill residents demonstrated their commitment to those principles by peacefully protesting against police brutality towards African Americans and other marginalized communities. These protests, like their counterparts across the country, aim to change systems of public safety to ensure that they keep everyone safe regardless of race and minimize harm. Currently, police use-of-force is the sixth leading cause of death for young Black men in the United States.

At least three of last weekend’s protests occurred either in Squirrel Hill or along its border. The organizers worked with Pittsburgh police to help make sure that the protests were safe and peaceful, and this collaboration was very successful.

On Saturday morning, our South Asian community expressed solidarity with the movement at Flagstaff Hill with the Pittsburgh South Asians for Black Lives Matter rally.

On Saturday afternoon, a large protest met at the intersection of Forbes and Murray, then marched through Squirrel Hill and Oakland.

On Sunday morning, bicyclists protested along Squirrel Hill’s northern border, riding from Mellon Park to Schenley Plaza in support of Black Lives Matter. The protest included a touching moment of silence in which the protesters lay on the ground for 8 minutes and 46 seconds.

We are heartened to see so many of our neighbors of all races standing up for the safety and well-being of the Black community during this time, and we hope to see this continue beyond the current protests. Squirrel Hill should be a place where Black residents, workers, students, and visitors feel safe. We encourage all of our neighbors to reflect on what they can do to make that a reality, and to work together to make it happen.

Black Lives Matter.