Police arrest 66 people during yesterday’s demonstrations

By Estelle Tran

Pittsburgh police arrested 42 people at the demonstration-turned-riot in and near Schenley Plaza… Pittsburgh police arrested 42 people at the demonstration-turned-riot in and near Schenley Plaza last night.

Police said in a news release that officers also arrested 24 people at various locations before 6 p.m., mostly in the Lawrenceville and Bloomfield areas. The most common charges were for aggravated assault, disorderly conduct, obstructing and failure to disperse and resisting arrest. Police charged four people for inciting a riot.

The police surveyed the property damage in Oakland. Oakland’s H&R Block, FedEx, Rite Aid on Forbes Avenue, Panera Bread on Forbes Avenue, Subway, Bruegger’s Bagels, McDonald’s, Citizens Bank on South Craig Street, PNC Bank on South Craig Street and Pamela’s Diner sustained broken windows.

Pitt spokesman John Fedele said there was some damage at police substation on Forbes Avenue by David Lawrence Hall. Considering the cost of cleanup and replacement of the broken glass at Panera Bread and the Pitt Shop, Fedele said he considered the damages to Pitt property were “minimal.”

City police said the bureau will release additional details about the damages when it becomes available.

Police deployed oleoresin capsicum chemical agent, or OC spray, which is “a micro-pulverized powder that gives a burning sensation when inhaled causing upper respiratory gagging and coughing,” in Oakland, Lawrenceville and the Strip Dristrict.

The release cited six injuries. One woman was transported to UPMC Presbyterian for OC inhalation and asthma. An injured man on Fifth and Thackeray avenues was transported to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital as well. Another injured man was taken to Mercy Hospital.

Three officers reported injuries, and two were treated and released. A non-lethal round stuck one officer in the head and another suffered from heat exhaustion. The third suffered an allergic reaction was was taken to Mercy Hospital.

The news release noted that there were 12 peaceful demonstrations where police didn’t make any arrests.