At one point, Pittsburghers filled Grant Street on Friday and joined in a rousing version of “Lean on Me,” led by a gospel choir that stood on the steps of the City-County Building. Later, the crowd was urged to hold hands and pray for unity. It was all part of the “Prayer for Pittsburgh, Prayer for Peace” rally, and it came less than a week after a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Va., turned violent, resulting in one death.
The Rev. Deryck Tines, center, and the Lemington Gospel Choir lead the crowd in singing “Lean on Me.” At left is choir member Donna Lowery. (Steve Mellon/Post-Gazette)From left, Linda Esposto of Forest Hills, Pilar Caballero of Mt. Lebanon and Virginia Cook of Regent Square join in singing a hymn. (Steve Mellon/Post-Gazette)Meryem Tokgoz, 2, held her parents’ hands. The Tokgoz family moved from Turkey to the United States two years ago. Now they live in Carnegie. (Steve Mellon/Post-Gazette)Former Steeler Franco Harris addresses the crowd. (Steve Mellon/Post-Gazette)At one point, participants held hands. (Steve Mellon/Post-Gazette)Christine Camacho used a sign to bring some humor to the event. Camacho is from Guam but lived in Heidelberg before moving to Toronto, Ohio. At left is Melissa Hiller of Greenfield. (Steve Mellon/Post-Gazette)Finn Dawson, 7, got a better view on the shoulders of dad Tim. The Dawson family lives in Mt. Lebanon. (Steve Mellon/Post-Gazette)Cherylie Fuller of Homewood listens to closing remarks. (Steve Mellon/Post-Gazette)“Together we build community,” declares Janera Solomon . She’s executive director of the Kelly Strayhorn Theater in East Liberty. (Steve Mellon/Post-Gazette)Linda Esposto of Forest Hills gets a hug from Judy Shipley of Allison Park. (Steve Mellon/Post-Gazette)
By 
