Virtual Protest Begins
Panther Hollow, one of Pittsburgh’s first Italian neighborhoods, is a small community within the larger community of Oakland. The first settlers arrived in the 1880s. Although it is essentially just one street in the shape of an inverted “L” (100 yards x 200 yards), the population grew to over 200 by 1900. The neighborhood was well-established before the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) held its first classes in Oakland in 1909.
Today, this neighborhood’s very existence, as well as that of Oakland, is threatened by the uncontrolled expansion of the University of Pittsburgh.
A virtual protest has begun to protect and preserve our two neighborhoods, and you are invited to join us in this herculean effort.
The task will be formidable. In addition to protesting the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University, we are up against the mayor and Pittsburgh City Council, Pittsburgh Planning Commission, Pittsburgh Zoning Board of Adjustment, Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), the three largest foundations in Pittsburgh, developers, and the local media.
However, the force that none of these entities anticipated is YOU.
Whether or not you have been to Panther Hollow, Oakland, or the City of Pittsburgh, or know the issues confronting our community, you most likely have experienced some form of injustice, or know of someone who has experienced that pain and suffering.
Ending injustice in this small locale will have a significant ripple effect throughout the world. Submit your sign to us, and let your valuable voice be a part of the collective around the globe who are Voices For a World Becoming New.
Send your message to be placed on a virtual sign to: voices@virtualprotest.info
When you send your sign, please note:
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- Signs will have a maximum of four lines and 30 words.
- Messages may be edited for clarity and length prior to being added as signs.
- If you are from a state outside of Pennsylvania, please include your state with your message.
- If you are from outside of the U.S. and/or want to include a message in a language other than English, please include your country and/or a translation of your message.
Here are three websites with more information about the issues confronting our community:
OaklandDignity.com – Includes actions taken since 2007. The front page and the last 7 links provide a good summary.
SavePantherHollow.com – Includes actions taken since 2015 to stop the construction of a roadway through the neighborhood.
PantherHollow.us – Includes information about the history of this iconic neighborhood.
Please share this virtual protest movement with your friends on social media.
Thank you, Grazie, Merci, Danke, Shukran, Salamat, Arigato, Kamsahamnida, Spasiba, Asante, Toda, Tualimba, Xie Xie, Dhanyavaad, Mahalo (At least one gratitude for each continent.)
Carlino Giampolo