The protest, meant to promote love and tolerance and reject the presidency of Donald Trump, started outside the Cathedral of Learning, where nearly 1000 protesters gathered. Stephen Caruso | Online Visual EditorAfter leaving Pitt’s campis, the protest marched down Fifth Avenue towards the Birmingham Bridge. Luis Perez, an East Liberty resident, showed up because he “can never turn down a protest.” Stephen Caruso | Online Visual EditorWith cop cars leading the way to create a moving blockade, the protesters fiollowed. Rob Helwis, a part time student at Pitt, waved a “don’t tread on me” flag as he marched. “This flag has been around a lot longer than the Tea Party,” Helwis said. Stephen Caruso | Online Visual EditorWhen female protesters chanted “my body, my choice”, male protesters responded “their body, their choice.” Stephen Caruso | Online Visual EditorPolice kept the demonstration out of the bus lanes on Fifth. As busses passed, some commuters gawked at encouraged the protest. Stephen Caruso | Online Visual EditorThe protesters had various personal motives, but mostly coalesced around a support for minority groups such as LGBT, people of color and the disabled, as well as opposition to president-elect Donald Trump. Stephen Caruso | Online Visual EditorA protester raises a fist in solidarity during a moment of silence on the Birmingham Bridge for victims of hate crimes following the election of Donald Trump. Stephen Caruso | Online Visual EditorAllison Beck, left, and Sam Cochran, right, march up Forbes Avenue with the protest, returning to Oakland after an extended vigil on the Birmingham Bridge. Stephen Caruso | Online Visual EditorThe protest was peaceful, with no arrests and little drama aside from loud chanting of “this is what democracy looks like” or “No KKK, no racist USA, no Trump.” Stephen Caruso | Online Visual EditorJustin Goff, of Mt. Lebanon, participated in his first protest Wednesday night. On his sign, Goff said “it was my wife’s idea, I can’t take credit.” Stephen Caruso | Online Visual EditorTalia Ferro, a first-year Carlow nursing student, came to the protest to promote “equality, justice and peace.” After returning to the protest’s origins, the demonstrators dispersed. Stephen Caruso | Online Visual Editor
