Amid a heavy police presence Trump arrived at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center shortly after 11:00 a.m. Thursday to address the Shale Insight conference, a group of natural gas executives involved in the fracking industry. Standing outside were a group of about 50 persons peacefully protesting Trump’s presence in Pittsburgh and rallying against his bid for the presidency.
“We need to get off fossil fuels and coal. We’re in the 21st century and we need to be focusing on reasonable energy alternatives from wind and solar sources for example,” said David Fast, 67, of Evans City, Pennsylvania, as he held one side of the large sign displayed in front to the convention center.
Others in the small group were vocal concerning Trump’s stance on civil rights, immigration and affordable housing.
During his speech Trump promised to rid energy and environmental regulating bodies of “radicals” and lift certain EPA restrictions saying, “You are going to love Donald Trump.”
Trump added, according to reporting by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that he supports conservation of natural resources, but said he would be guided by “experts” as opposed to those who may have a radical objective.
Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton was unable to attend the conference citing a scheduling conflict. According to at least one report Clinton supported fracking while she was Secretary of State.
In a prepared statement Jason Miller, Trump’s Senior Communications Advisor, labeled Clinton the “Number one enemy of Shale states and shale workers,” saying “Hillary Clinton’s politically-motivated opposition to fracking shows she cares more about pandering to liberal special interests than creating good-paying jobs, making America more energy independent and driving down energy costs for families and businesses. Donald Trump supports an all-of-the-above energy strategy that harnesses America’s vast natural resources that will bring back jobs, revitalize our manufacturing center and reduce our dependence.”
After a 45-minute speech Trump left the convention center and traveled a few blocks to the exclusive Duquesne Club for lunch. A small group of protesters had already begun to block the front entrance to the Club, and as more arrived from the convention center, the crowd grew to well over a hundred.
Within minutes protesters moved closer to the Club’s front entrance before police were able to form a protective line, and some protesters were seen trying to enter the Club carrying a large sign. Police in riot equipment, as well as those on horses, quickly moved in and pushed the large crowd back to the sidewalk.
The group continued to block the street in front of the Club preventing mass transit buses and most traffic from getting through for over an hour. For several minutes the crowd was heard chanting “NO KKK, no racist USA, no Trump.” Several protesters came within a few feet of police shouting racial slurs and other obscenities. The group dispersed after Trump left the Club shortly after 1:30 p.m.
Pittsburgh Public Safety spokeswoman Emily Schaffer said in an email that “no major incidents” occurred during Trump’s visit, adding, “A 63-year-old male protester, later identified as Michael Badges-Canning, went through the revolving door of the Club and prevented its movement, trapping civilians who were not protesters. He refused demands to move or come out of the door. Police freed him and the other civilians, then placed him under arrest.” Mr. Badges-Canning faces charges of defiant trespass, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest according to Ms. Schaffer.
