Protestors Post Signs, Letter At Mayor's House
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- A local coalition protesting the George Zimmerman acquittal have claimed responsibility for planting protest signs on Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's property in Fineview.
"Trayvon PGH" is demanding a response from the mayor. KDKA Investigator Andy Sheehan says officials are more concerned about the mayor's security.
They came to City Hall see the mayor, and when he declined to meet with them, they went to his house in the middle of the night and planted protest signs.
Each of the signs lists an individual demand, from anti-discriminatory policies to economic incentives in black communities to the elimination of desserts in the city schools.
In addition, a poster reading "Black Bodies Are Precious" was taped to the front door along with an envelope, which Dom Sculli - the mayor's security officer - said would be secured.
"We plan to have the crime lab come up and process it right now," he said.
The mayor, who was home Thursday morning, left without commenting. But the mobile crime unit arrived shortly after to take the envelope and the signs.
KDKA's Andy Sheehan: "Coming to the mayor's private residence, this would be a security concern?"
Sculli: "Yes, it would. They obviously know where he lives and they came here to present whatever case they feel is important to them."
Bekezela Mguni, of the New Voices Pittsburgh, said the coalition did indeed plant the signs and the letter, which demands a response within three days or says "direct actions" will result.
But on the phone, Mguni said they are not a threat to the mayor's safety.
"We are not a threatening group at all. We just want to make sure our concerns are going to the appropriate people," Mguni said in a statement.
The contents of the envelope will be analyzed and all security measures will be taken. The city says it will take all steps necessary to assure the mayor's security.
RELATED LINKS:
Group Protests Zimmerman Verdict Outside Mayor's Office (7/17/13)
More Reports by Andy Sheehan
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