Over a hundred take part in anti-war protest in Pittsburgh before fight breaks out

PITTSBURGH — More than a hundred people took part in an anti-war protest in Pittsburgh on Saturday. The protest followed the attack on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad by militiamen on New Year’s Day and the death of a top Iranian military general by a U.S. airstrike in Baghdad. It was a peaceful protest before a fight broke out and police had to step in.

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A group of about 100 antiwar protesters have gathered here at Schenley Plaza in Oakland spreading the message of no war or sanctions on Iran @WPXI @WPXIAaronMartin @AFP @NBCNews @CNN @RadioFreeTom @nytimes pic.twitter.com/B0wINAS2ns
— Stephen Banfield (@coachtvnews) January 4, 2020

Hosted in part by ANSWER Pittsburgh, which stands for Act Now to Stop War & End Racism Coalition, the local demonstration was held in coordination with other similar events across the country. NBC News reported there was a much larger anti-war demonstration held in Times Square in New York City on Saturday.

The event in Pittsburgh took place at Schenley Plaza and featured people holding signs and various speakers.

At one point, opposing sides started arguing before things turned physical and police officers had to step in to separate people. Our crew at the scene reported people began pushing and shoving, yelling curse words and ripping up signs.

Police said there were no arrests and there were no calls to bring in additional officers.

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