Protesters gathered in East Pittsburgh Thursday afternoon, pressuring borough officials to take action and responsibility in the wake of the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Antwon Rose at the hands of one of its officers.
Participants were given programs with resources and an agenda for police reforms. Demonstrators asked East Pittsburgh officials to change their hiring policy for police, which they say allowed Michael Rosfeld to become an officer in their borough, despite accounts that he had a history of aggression.
East Pittsburgh officials have remained mostly quiet since Rose's death, aside from releasing a statement Thursday, two days after the shooting. It offers condolences and says, in part, "This is a very stressful time for our community. We are seeking truth and answers but the process takes time."
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review was unable to get a hold of East Pittsburgh Mayor Louis Payne, police chief Lori Fruncek or council president Dennis Simon for a story Wednesday. Organizer Fawn Walker-Montgomery said she's troubled by the government's lack of transparency.
"I mean, it's like they're ignoring us," Walker-Montgomery said. "So that's why we figured we'd come down here today."
Teddy bears, roses, signs, candles are placed outside the East Pittsburgh borough municipal in memory of #AntwonRose @905Wesa pic.twitter.com/GASGTuEyGR
— Katie Blackley (@kate_blackley) June 28, 2018
Rosfeld, the officer who shot Rose, was charged with criminal homicide Wednesday. Protesters called for a conviction for Rosfeld and for Judge Regis Welsh to rescind Rosfeld’s $250,000 unsecured bond. That bothers activist Rose Price, who said it’s wrong that the officer is released considering he shot and killed Antwon Rose.
"When his birthday, Christmas come...they gotta go see him at the cemetery, but [Rosfeld] gets to sit home with [his] family," Price said. "Right is right and wrong is wrong, I feel like he should be behind bars."
“I’m calling to demand that they rescind Bond for the man that killed #AntwonRose.” Demonstrators call Judge Manning. @905wesa pic.twitter.com/z4WTWjaZ85
— Katie Blackley (@kate_blackley) June 28, 2018
The protesters first gathered outside of the East Pittsburgh municipal building, then the group of about 75-100 marched down Electric Avenue. Allegheny County police escorted the group and blocked off traffic as they moved.
“Convict the killer cop,” Protesters shout from the corner of Penn Ave Ext. and Tri-Boro Expwy. @905wesa pic.twitter.com/c5cE4Vzvse
— Katie Blackley (@kate_blackley) June 28, 2018
At the rally, Duquesne mayor Nickole Nesby, who worked with Rose on several volunteer projects said, “He was bright and charismatic.”
Rose's death has sparked days of protests, shutting down traffic on major highways and intersections. Protesters have been calling for justice and criticizing Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala.
Rose's funeral was held Monday.
*This post was updated at 8:17 p.m. June 28, 2018 to include comments from organizers.
