Activists rally to condemn recent rise in violence against Black Pittsburghers

A group of local activists gathered in Downtown Pittsburgh on Feb. 22 for a "Defend Black Lives" rally to bring awareness to a recent rise in violence against Black Pittsburghers.

The Alliance for Police Accountability, 1Hood Media, TransYOUniting, Black Lives Matter Pittsburgh and SW PA, and their supporters rallied at the City-County Building where they also called for justice and further investigation into the deaths of recent vicitims.

“Organizers believe inadequate and inequitable policies, silence from elected officials, racism, gentrification, and a lack of investment in Black communities are driving factors in creating an unsafe environment for Black residents," organizers wrote in a release ahead of the rally. "Today’s call to action is one of many steps being taken in the ongoing fight for justice and accountability.”

Family members of local victims of violence, including those of Amariey Lej, a Black trans woman who was murdered in January, and Peter Spencer, a Jamaican immigrant from Pittsburgh who was shot and killed in Venango County while on a camping trip with white coworkers, joined the community in sharing their stories and calling for justice.