People gather in parking lot of South Hills plaza in planned protest, businesses board up as precaution

PITTSBURGH — In response to a video posted on social media showing two young boys allegedly from the West Jefferson Hills School District, reenacting the death of George Floyd, Channel 11 learned a protest will be held in the parking lot of the Southland Shopping Center.

The manager of a store said off-camera that their corporate officer ordered them to board up up the market last weekend as a precaution and in response to the violence taking place across the country. The Pleasant Hills Police Department said the demonstration was being organized by a student group and was expected to be peaceful. The group was planning on being at the plaza from noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday.

You can customize your WPXI News App to receive alerts for news stories. CLICK HERE to find out how.

“It’s a movement that needs to be heard because there’s been a lot of things and there’s a lot of stories behind the movement,” Paul Schaap said.

Schaap said he is hoping for the best but it’s been disturbing to watch how protests across the country and here in Pittsburgh have begun peaceful but turned violent.

Up to 50 flags stolen from veterans’ graves at Leechburg cemetery Up to 50 flags stolen from veterans’ graves at Leechburg cemetery

© 2020 Cox Media Group