by Juliette Rihl and Ryan Loew
Protesters marched through the streets of McKees Rocks on Sunday to speak out against systemic racism and demand an investigation of the borough’s police department.
The almost five-hour event began at the intersection of Linden Street and Chartiers Avenue and continued to Sto-Rox Junior-Senior High School before returning to the starting point.
“They’re gonna hear us. Not just in the streets, but when we vote. They’re gonna hear us in the White House,” said Dasia Clemons, founder of grassroots organization Pittsburgh, I Can’t Breathe [PICB].
It was organized by McKees Rocks resident Lorenzo Rulli and Nique (who preferred not to include their last name) with support from PICB.
“McKees Rocks is not failing because of the people. McKees Rocks is failing because of the police,” Rulli said while addressing the crowd of roughly 150 people in front of the department. The organizers demanded an investigation into the police department, which Rulli said does not represent the community it serves. McKees Rocks is about 34% Black. PublicSource was unable to confirm the racial makeup of the department; the non-emergency lines for the McKees Rocks Police Department went unanswered Sunday night.
The event also centered on Black women and Black transgender people. “I feel like Black women and Black trans folks are always left out of the narrative,” Nique told PublicSource while recounting their own experiences with racism and transphobia. “I don’t want to live in fear like this anymore
Protest co-organizer Lorenzo Rulli speaks to fellow demonstrators gathered outside the McKees Rocks Police Department on Sunday. (Photo by Ryan Loew/PublicSource)
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