Thread by @NewsNatasha

#GeorgeFloyd protesters have halted a long line of cars along the Interstate 579 over the Allegheny River in #Pittsburgh.

A car is on fire outside PPG Paints Arena.

Stay tuned to @TribLIVE for developing coverage. Also: @dillonswriting & @nsmallwoodphoto

UPDATE: Traffic cleared by police on I-579 — but an ambulance just reached the off-ramp to treat an injured man near the intersection of Route 28/Chesnut Street.

Several #protesters told me that a car driver got inpatient and rammed into the protester.

#GeorgeFloydprotest

Tristen Nesmith, 23, of Beaver Falls said he saw a car strike one of the fellow #protesters along the I-579/Veterans Bridge over the Allegheny River.

The driver got frustrated, “started reviving up his engine and just hit my man for no reason. He wasn’t doing anything wrong.”

Not much more info yet —

But a shift commander with Allegheny County 911 dispatch just told me that they did send medics — and there was one patient transported to a nearby hospital.

Condition of the person not immediately available.

Stay tuned to @TribLIVE for updates.

Police line at Sixth Avenue and William Penn Place in Downtown #Pittsburgh

#pittsburghprotest #GeorgeFloydProtests

BREAKING: #Pittsburgh Public Safety Director Hissrich announces #Curfew tonight AND tomorrow — 8:30pm-6am

“We believe a lot of these individuals who are creating trouble are not from the city; however, we have to take a strong response to make sure residents ... remain safe.”

#Pittsburgh Mayor @billpeduto:

What began as a peaceful protest was “hijacked by a group of individuals who put their own self interests above the interests of the movement, who took away from organizers & those who wanted to have a voice about #SocialJustice,” endangered lives

Chief Scott Schubert: Officials believe most rioting, looting not from #Pittsburgh. Described offenders as mostly white male “anarchists” / #Antifas

“They’re not here to protest what happened (#GeorgeFloyd).

“They’re here to take advantage ... and cause damage, cause injury.”

Chief Scott Schubert: “I’m just so angry at the fact that some segment hijacked this, and then took some of the youth and brought them into the mix.”

Says police will review every video they can, use tech to identify/prosecute those responsible.

#pittsburghprotest #GeorgeFloyd

The FBI & U.S. Justice Dept. are working with local officials re: #pittsburghprotest

They vow that any offenders who are from out of state & caused damage/violence today will be charged federally, says #Pittsburgh Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich.

@TribLIVE #GeorgeFloyd

An hour after police announced 8:30 p.m. curfew and urged everyone to go home, here is the scene on Fort Duquesne Boulevard at the Seventh Street Bridge.

Amid flash bangs, woman walking on the bridge with several kids yells, “Go that way, and run, baby! Run!”

#pittsburghprotest

All Port Authority of Allegheny County bus and light-rail service (the T) has stopped until at least Sunday morning, per @PGHtransit

#pittsburghprotest

#PA is using PEMA’s Commonwealth Response Coordination Center — already activated by the #Covid_19 pandemic — to keep tabs on the #protests happening in #Pittsburgh, #Harrisburg and #Philadelphia, per @GovernorTomWolf

UPDATE: Situation appears to be quieting down in Downtown #Pittsburgh.

Streets mostly empty.

Just ran into a peaceful #protester who returned with gloves, trash bags & shovel to refill knocked over planters.

Says can’t sleep; brought Red Bull and plans to clean all night.