PITTSBURGH — Many businesses in downtown Pittsburgh still have plywood over their windows and doors nearly a week after rioting and looting broke out following a protest.
>>>RELATED STORY: Protesters marching for 7th straight day in Pittsburgh
“I thing you’re going to see this voice will continue to be heard,” County Executive Rich Fitzgerald said.
“It’s understandable, the outrage of the citizens of this country saying that’s not the way we should operate around criminal justice,” he said.
With nearly a dozen more protests planned for the weekend, people calling for change in the name of George Floyd had been demonstrating for seven straight days in and around Pittsburgh. Fitzgerald said he supports some of the changes they are calling for
Fitzgerald added he supports police reform proposed by state legislators that would require de-escalation and nonlethal force be tried before lethal force can be used. It was first introduced last year in the aftermath of the shooting death of Antwon Rose, but it remains stuck in committee.
“We hope now there will be a fair debate about some of these reforms and this legislation will pass,” Fitzgerald said.
>>>RELATED: Special task force to look into protesters sparking violence in Pittsburgh
Police said they will be monitoring demonstrations and closing off roads to keep people safe. Plus, a new task force was created between local and federal agencies to investigate who sparked violence at recent protests.
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