Torrey Davis wants the police violence to stop.
After the police shooting deaths of Philando Castile in Minnesota and Alton Sterling in Louisiana, Davis planted himself in front of the North Side Zone 1 police office on Thursday, holding up a sign decrying the violence against black men by police officers.
When he showed up again Friday, his message included denouncing violence against police. Five Dallas officers were killed and another seven wounded during a peaceful protest in Thursday night. He was also joined by two others.
“I’m in fear that when my son walks to the store or goes outside to play with his friends, he might not make it home,” said Jamicka Moore, who protested alongside Davis.
More, a North Side resident, has an 11-year-old son. She and another woman, who preferred not to be identified, held signs with different messages. One read, “modern day lynching.”
“I guess it’s just like a way of life right now,” Moore said. “A lot of my friends don’t expect their sons to live past 18 years old and that’s not a goal of mine. I want him to live. I want to have grandchildren on day.”
Davis said he plans to stand outside Zone 1 every day for two weeks from 8 a.m. until 10 a.m., when he has to leave for work. He said he hopes people will continue to join him. In fact, he keeps materials on hand to make signs, including markers and poster board.
He said these police violence issues, in addition the drug problems in Pittsburgh, just need to be brought to light.
“It’s not just about the police incidents and stuff like that," he said. "It’s about what’s been going on on the North Side as a whole."
Davis said he’s gotten many honks and shouts of support, but his small protest has also drawn a few negative comments.
