Pgh Lesbian Correspondents

My post about the outcomes/attendance at the weekends No Kings events in Western PA got a little convoluted so I pulled this specific information into a new post. The original events are listed with times. Anything w/o a time, I learned about after the fact. I tried to confirm the numbers, but relied on attendees when there was nothing else.

Nationally, 7 or 8.1 million. It is the largest nationwide political protest in history in the US. The only gathering larger would be Earth Day events and that seems quite appropriate. The number is a bit of a challenge to pin down.

As of 3 PM today, my count is 39,034 for Western PA. This does not include individual ‘pop-up’ protests; I will gladly include you in the total if you reach out to me. I understand some people along Route 8 in Butler County were standing out with signs. Can anyone confirm that?

By my count, 24 Western PA counties participated, 4 counties did not. It is always a bit of an arguement over the counties that constitute Western PA. I’m not having that arguement today.

Scroll down for my takes.

• 9-10am Coraopolis – 30 (attendee)
• 9:15-10:45am Grove City – 500 Democrat Women of Mercer County)
• 10-11am Sewickley – 1,000+ attendee
• 10-11am McCandless/North Hills – 500 (attendee)
• 11am Indiana, PA – 660 (Indiana Borough Police)
• 11am-12pm Washington, PA –1000 (event organizers)
• 1130am Mercer,PA – 360 (Democrat Women of Mercer County)
• 11:30-1:30pm Uniontown – 400 attendee
• 12pm New Castle – dozens (New Castle News)
• 12-2pm Beaver 1,000 attendee
• 12-2pm Greensburg – 3000 (TribLive – updated)
• 12-2pm Erie – 4500 (GoErie)
• 12-2:30pm Hermitage – 800 (Democrat Women of Mercer County)
• 12:30-2:30pm City County Building 11,000 (event organizers)
• 12:30pm Johnstown 500 Allegheny Independent Media 
• 2-4pm  Allegheny Commons Park – 7000 (Pittsburgh Police)
• 2-4pm Meadville – 300 (Erie County News)
• 2:30-4:30pm Kittanning 400 Armstrong County Democrats
• 3-4:30 South Hills – 2000 (event organizers)
• 5-6pm Shadyside – 1000 (attendee)
• 5-6pm Robinson – no report yet
• Cranberry, Butler County, PA – 1200 (Butler County Democratic Committee)
• Dubois, Elk County, Clearfield, Jefferson counties ,- 400 (Elk County Democratic Committee)
• Franklin, Venago County – 300 (Substack)
• Oil City, Clarion County – 200 (The Derrick.com)
• Altoona, Blair County – 500 (WJAC)
• Bradford, McKean County – 140 (Bradford County Democrats)
• Bedford County – unknown
• Greene County – unknown
• Somerset County – unknown
• Forest County – unknown
• Warren County – 320 (Times-Observer)
• Anywhere else?

My Takes

First, we need to applaud the events with smaller turnouts because their bravery and courage to stand up against tyranny in very red communities is powerful. This in particular would include New Castle, Lawrence County; Bradford, McKean County, Oil City, Clarion County; and Coraopolis, Allegehny County. The organizers of those events should be contacted and asked what support they need.

Second, Mercer County had three events. Wow. I’ve spent a bit of time in Mercer County over the past 20 years and I’m impressed. They had a total turnout of over 1600 people. Those folks are organized.

Third, the woman who pulled together an event in Cranberry Township, Butler County at the last minute because thought Butler County needed to represent. Kudos to her. 1200 people agreed with her.

Fourth, multiple events are fine. I would not have gone Downtown because the crowd would overwhelm me. I walked up my literal street and participated in an event that drew 7,000 people in a different setting. I hope more spaces in Allegheny County will participate next time – let’s get an event in the Mon Valley and one in Monroeville.

Same for Westmoreland County – a very large County – Greensburg is great, but what about New Kensington and Latrobe? Derry? And the same with Butler County.

Stop nagging people to cross bridges. Embrace the realities of this region. It doesn’t matter what you think it best. Pittsburghers are gonna do what they are gonna do.

Next, Beaver County. It has seen the most aggressive actions by ICE and allies. Anecdotally, I posted my list of events on every community FB group or page I could find, every county. The only spaces where the vitriol and threats were palpable are tied to Beaver County. Take a look at the outcomes from the May primary for all Beaver County elections. This is worth many conversations. Beaver County is home to two school districts suing the PA Human Relations Commission to challenge protections for LGBTQ+ students.

Sixth. Finding joy in resistance seems to appeal to a lot of folx. I heard over and over “This is my first protest.” Reclaiming the frog is just everything.

Seven. A lot of people – our neighbors – are hurting right now. It will only get worse in the coming months. Health insurance subsidies are lost, jobs are lost, essential federal governmental services are lost, housing is hard to find and maintain, public transit, etc.

When you ask about action items, there you go. Roll up your sleeves and get involved in mutual aid efforts. When you go home from your shift at the soup kitchen or community health clinic or giving people in your community a ride to the store, then do the letter writing to the appropriate elected officials about the issue. And you’ll have direct experience to share.

Finally, the issue of representation. At the rally we attended, there were lots of young and older folx. Lots of LGBTQ+ folx. And lots and lots of white folx. It was a little shocking that a Northside event. Some neighborhoods over here at 91% Black. Was there any coordination with Northside Black leaders and community groups?

And what about immigrant groups and their children? The Northside is home to communities like Somali-Bantu (Somali, Maay Maay and Zigula), Somali (Somali), Rwandan (Kinyarwanda and French), and Burundi (Kirundi and French): Burmese (Burmese, Karen and Chin): Syrian (Arabic): and Latino communities.

That being said there is a moral duty for all white folx to pick up this banner and stand with our BIPOC neighbors, to stand between them and injustice, to listen to them and learn.

I’m going to attend trainings by Casa San Jose and another by the Shut Down Detention Center groups. I’m going to do some blogging about antifa. I’m going to keep circulating reels and video about the realities of American life right now.

And then we’ll see what’s next …