Protest fallout: 46 arrests involve Western Pa. residents; National Guard ready to move; man suspected of inciting ID'd

Violence that erupted in Pittsburgh after hours of peaceful protests was the result of actions by a relatively small group of people, city and state officials said Sunday.

A day later, though, it was still unclear who those individuals are and whether they are affiliated with specific groups.

Authorities said Sunday they had arrested 46 people, most on charges of failure to disperse and disorderly conduct. Sixteen live in Pittsburgh, with others coming from suburban Allegheny County municipalities and other locations including New Castle in Lawrence County and New Kensington in Westmoreland.

“Police continue to investigate and review video to identify and arrest people who instigated violence — clearly against the wishes of peaceful protesters,” Pittsburgh Public Safety officials said in a statement.

The region remained on edge Sunday, mirroring the mood nationwide.

The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency has prepared to send National Guard troops to Allegheny County, though they have not yet been requested by local officials, PEMA director Randy Padfield said.

Pittsburgh has not asked for the National Guard’s assistance and has no plans to do so, Pittsburgh Public Safety spokesman Chris Togneri said.

Gov. Tom Wolf late Saturday signed a disaster emergency declaration and expanded activation of the Commonwealth Response Coordination Center. This allows the state to provide assistance to municipalities, including Pittsburgh, responding to protests.

Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald has not requested additional resources from the state or federal government, according to a statement from his office.

Fitzgerald “supports those who are speaking out, standing up and joining friends and neighbors to stop racial injustice,” the statement said. “The violence and vandalism that occurred (Saturday) night undermines the very message that the protesters were trying to deliver.”

We must not let the actions of a few, who have attempted to hijack these well-meaning, peaceful protesters by creating chaos and anarchy, destroying property, and committing violence, take away from the memory of George Floyd, Antwon Rose, and so many others who we have lost.

— Allegheny Co. Exec. (@ACE_Fitzgerald) June 1, 2020

Hundreds of people wove through Downtown Pittsburgh on Saturday to protest the death of George Floyd, a black man killed by a white Minneapolis police officer May 25. The protests largely were peaceful and consisted of marching and chanting.

The scene turned chaotic when the crowd splintered at PPG Paints Arena and a small group started smashing a Pittsburgh police SUV, Tribune-Review reporters at the scene said.

A video widely circulated on social media and shared by Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto shows a white person dressed in all black with a bandanna covering his face throwing objects at a police SUV parked outside the arena.

“Oh, somebody is busting up the cop car, no,” the person taking the video said. “What did I tell you? It is not black people. It is not black people. What are you doing?”

Another onlooker shouted, “You’re not helping us,” as the person damaging the police SUV gestured lewdly to the crowd.

“This man just busted up this cop car,” the person taking the video said. “And you all say we are the rioters? You all say we are the problem. It is white people. Stop, my guy, stop.”

Pittsburgh police have issued an arrest warrant for Brandon Jordan Bartels, 20, of Shaler on charges of institutional vandalism, rioting and reckless endangerment of another person for allegedly breaking the windows of a marked Pittsburgh police car “against the wishes of peaceful protesters who tried to stop him,” a statement from officials said.

Peduto, in a tweet, described the moment.

“For 2+ hours thousands of Pittsburghers marched against injustice, for building a better city, for the critical changes necessary to change our country,” Peduto said. “Then, their march for justice was hijacked by a group of 100+ anarchists, focused only on violence.”

A spokesperson for Peduto deferred further comment to police Chief Scott Schubert’s remarks Saturday evening. Schubert said the protest was “hijacked” mostly by white male “anarchists.”

A single person or organization does not appear to be responsible for organizing Saturday’s protests. Information about the protest start time and location was spread on social media.

A Facebook page titled “SCAM — Steel City Autonomous Movement” is among those that posted details.

“There were too many organizers to count,” a message from the page said. “We have no statement at this time.”

1Hood Media, a Pittsburgh-based collective of artists and activists, shared details of the protest on social media as events unfolded Saturday.

Dear allies, it is imperative that you listen to organizers. These young Black organizers had a clear plan and message that was disregarded. If you fight for Black lives, you don’t unnecessarily place Black bodies in jeopardy. https://t.co/SWMhT75MQN

— 1Hood (@1hood) May 30, 2020

“Dear allies, it is imperative that you listen to organizers,” a tweet from 1Hood said. “These young black organizers had a clear plan and message that was disregarded. If you fight for black lives, you don’t unnecessarily place black bodies in jeopardy.”

1Hood did not immediately respond to a request for further comment Sunday.