Man, woman arrested for allegedly climbing downtown Pittsburgh bridge to hang a banner

PITTSBURGH — Two people were arrested after they climbed the Roberto Clemente Bridge during a protest that closed the bridge for several hours Sunday.

William Howison, 24, and Chelsea Lefever, 28, both Pittsburgh residents, were arrested without incident and charges are pending, police said.

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The protest began around 8:30 a.m. when about 15 people arrived at the location and some used bikes to stop vehicles from going onto either end of the bridge.

Two members of the group began to climb the archway, attempting to hang a banner that read, “Black trans lives matter,” police said. The two rappelled back down after about three hours, police said.

Firefighters cut the banner’s rope before it could be hung.

Protesters are also calling for the Allegheny County Jail to close.

3 people charged in connection with tense downtown protests

Cox Media Group