“People shouldn’t be angry that students are marching,” said Mayor Bill Peduto at the start of the March for Our Lives Pittsburgh. “They should be angry that students have to march.”

The crowd estimate for the student-led march today on school safety and gun control issues was anywhere between 35,000 (said Erin Simard, 16, teenage co-organizer) and 100,000 (said County Executive Rich Fitzgerald at the stage on Market Square).

Whatever the number, the event was deemed a roaring success as students, parents, grandparents, activists, kids and dogs packed the streets, parading passionately through Downtown with colorful signs waving — and what signs they were!

Take a look at the photos featured here and read this 17-year-old Pittsburgh student’s article on why he marched.

The students led the way in the Downtown march that started on Grant St. and ended in Market Square.
That’s Erin Simard from Shaler, the co-organizer of the march along with her 15-year-old sister, Emma.
A mom with her child. There were many in the crowd.
A Fox Chapel teacher at the march.
A Virginia Tech student remembers.
This sign was a big hit.
Parents of soldiers marched, too.
At Market Square.
Vets marched, too.
Student speakers awaiting their turn in Market Square.
Cousins of the woman shot and killed at LA Fitness in Bridgeville. The rest of the family marched in DC.
U.S. Representative-elect Conor Lamb was there along with many other local and state politicians.
Lauren Rock, 17, lit the crowd and got a standing ovation from all the politicians and others on stage. Photo by Tracy Certo.
One of our favorite signs.

Tracy Certo

Tracy is the founder and Editor at Large of NEXTpittsburgh which she started in March 2014 and sold in December 2020. She is passionate about making Pittsburgh a better place for all and connecting people to do the same.