Why I protest: Pittsburgh-area residents who march for racial justice explain why

George Floyd was killed Memorial Day after a confrontation with a Minneapolis police officer.

Floyd was black. The police officer, Derek Chauvin, is white.

His death prompted large protests in cities of all sizes across the country, including in Pittsburgh and Greensburg. Thousands of residents from Western Pennsylvania have joined in the protests and have held vigils.

As the Tribune-Review has worked to cover these events, our journalists have asked: Why are you protesting?

Here are your answers.

“We’ve protested over and over and over and over again, and still nothing is being done about our people being killed.” — Virgol Spica, 25, Wilkinsburg

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“I’m tired of being tired. I pray for the same change as everyone else. These police being charged? I’m skeptical with that, honestly. Because officers are never convicted. Ever. So I’m very fearful of that. I hope for the best, but reality has taught me a different story. I’m very fearful of that. So as far as change goes, I think it’s going to take more of this.” — Anand Young, 43, Wilkinsburg

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“We need to start from the bottom to raise up all the voices. Life is very important for me. I’m disappointed with the leaders that destroy our society.” — Javier Flores, 47, Oakland

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“Because I think it needs to be done. Needs to be done — something needs to be done.” — Kay Shissler, 83, Shadyside

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“I’m really sad about what happened in Minneapolis and just what’s happening. And I just wanna be here, to support.” — Anna Morowitz, 12, Pittsburgh

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“I’ve seen the discrimination and the mistreatment of black folk by white folk all of my life. I went to school in South Carolina, North Carolina. And I can remember black folk who had knees and feet on their necks all my life. I was hoping that things were gonna to be better for my children. My son is 50, my daughter’s 47. Things have not changed. Now I’m standing for my grandchildren. And, seemingly, things are not changing for them.” — Johnnie Monroe, 78, Stanton Heights

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“I’m protesting because some people don’t know that black lives matter and they’re just going around thinking that white lives are the only ones that matter.” — Noa Offner, 9, Highland Park

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“This is even deeper than just a white and black situation. What’s going on here is our whole judicial system, it’s totally corrupt. If you wanna have change in this country, let me tell you something: vote.” — Clinton Bridges, 50, East Liberty

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“They’re frustrated. They try to march peacefully, they’ve tried to pray. We’ve tried this and we’ve tried that. I just think that everyone is just tired. Because no one’s listening.” — Natausha Pettis, 42, Plum

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“This one right here will shoot you down. Black man. Black woman. Black child. Watch yourself — in Pittsburgh. Look at that smile, look at that smirk. Nothing’s funny, a man lost his life. To a knee! By a cop!” — Dasia Clemons, founder of Facebook group “Pittsburgh, I Can’t Breathe,” addressing a Pittsburgh police officer at a protest

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“We have to make them listen. They’re not listening. We tried peaceful. They’re not listening.” — Erika Smith, 22, Wilkinsburg

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“I don’t think “black lives matter” should be a controversial statement.” — Eliana Beigel, 28, Friendship

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“Being a black person in the U.S., protesting resonates with me. It’s important to me to show solidarity with everyone. And it doesn’t seem like things will change unless something is done about it.” — Naeem Martinez, 30, Friendship