Rally In Pittsburgh Calls For Every Vote To Count; 3 Arrested After Group Breaks Off From Demonstration
By: KDKA-TV News Staff
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The City-County Building in downtown Pittsburgh was the site of multiple rallies on Wednesday.
A "Don't Let Trump Steal The Election" rally began outside the building Wednesday. Organizers said they're concerned that President Donald Trump won't respect elections results if he loses.
The group left the courthouse around 6 p.m. and began marching through downtown Pittsburgh. The peaceful rally ended around 8 p.m., but a small group broke off and continued marching. Pittsburgh Public Safety says three people were arrested.
Officials say the group overturned garbage cans, knocked over traffic signs and one person spray-painted the City-County Building.
"Public Safety respects everyone's First Amendment rights, but causing destruction will not be tolerated," Pittsburgh Public Safety said on Twitter.
Group has splintered into several smaller groups. Police have made three arrests so far. Public Safety respects everyone's First Amendment rights, but causing destruction will not be tolerated. https://t.co/45WOJ1yOTE
— Pittsburgh Public Safety (@PghPublicSafety) November 5, 2020
Here's the spray paint on the City-County building. What appears to be a hammer and sickle, the same symbol that appeared on Congressmen Lamb and Doyle's offices earlier in the week and on Sean Parnell's garage door when they were vandalized. pic.twitter.com/mxnGJdXBDQ
— Shelby Cassesse (@ShelbyCassesse) November 5, 2020
There was a heavy police presence at the City-County Building following the incident.
Around 4 p.m., several organizations joined forces to demand that every vote is counted following Election Day. Groups like Pittsburgh United, SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania and several faith-based groups were downtown to push the message that every single vote in Pennsylvania needs to be counted.
Organizers say the election has been driven by misinformation and contradictory reports from the beginning. Organizers also say people need to decide who their leaders are.
"Every voice needs to be heard. Democracy only works when all of us are included," said Jennifer Rafanan Kennedy, an organizer from PA United.
WATCH: KDKA's Amy Wadas Has More
KDKA talked to some business owners who boarded up their storefronts just in case rallies get out of control. They said it is better to be safe than sorry.
Stay with KDKA for more on this developing story.
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