Protesters say they'll block Downtown

Tribune-Review
None Given
March 19, 2003

The organizers of an anti-war protest say they plan to shut down Downtown this evening with demonstrations in the street.

Pittsburgh police said they are prepared.

The Thomas Merton Center and Pittsburgh Organizing Group are planning large-scale acts of civil disobedience during a rally set for 5 p.m. today outside the Federal Building, Downtown.

Tim Vining, executive director of the Garfield-based Merton Center -- a peace organization -- said the rally will start with protesters encircling the building at Liberty and Grant. And it will end with traffic blockades and demonstrations in the street.

"The point will be to disrupt business as usual here in Pittsburgh while the bombs fall on Baghdad," he said.

Police said they are working with other law enforcement organizations to provide enough manpower in the streets to keep them open -- and to deal with any protesters who get violent or cause damage.

"We intend to uphold the law and keep traffic moving," acting police Chief Charles Moffatt said. "If they break the law, we intend on enforcing it."