Statement on “Downtown Youth Takeover” - March 27, 2026

To our young people, families, and community partners across Pittsburgh:

It has come to our attention, through our partner organizations and our educational institutions, including Pittsburgh Public Schools, that there is a planned “downtown youth takeover” event this Friday.

This is not an organized event. There are no planned activities, no programming, and no safeguards in place to ensure your safety. While a Friday evening with good weather naturally invites people to gather, this particular situation presents unnecessary risks to everyone's safety.

We strongly encourage all youth to make alternative plans. Spend time with family, friends, or by participating in recreational activities, or gathering responsibly with trusted adults and peers. 

We also call on parents, grandparents, guardians, and all those responsible for the care of our youth to be actively engaged. Please make it a priority to know where your young people are, who they are with, and what their plans are during this timeframe. This is a moment that requires intentional guidance. We encourage families to have direct conversations, set clear expectations, and actively discourage attendance. 

Our shared goal is simple: to ensure that every young person has the freedom to move throughout our city safely, without being placed in situations that could lead to harm or unintended consequences. Large, unplanned gatherings of this nature increase the likelihood of incidents that could require intervention. We do not want our public safety personnel to be placed in a position where escalation becomes necessary, nor do we want any young person exposed to outcomes that could impact their future.

After speaking with our Public Safety Director and sharing our concerns with the Chief of Police, we are confident that the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police will take all necessary steps to respond to any activity in a professional and sensitive manner throughout the day. Their focus remains on maintaining public safety while minimizing any negative interactions with youth.

We ask families and community leaders to remain engaged, aware, and communicative about the whereabouts and plans of our young people this Friday.

Pittsburgh’s downtown is a shared space for all, including our youth, and is meant for safe enjoyment by all who come downtown. Protecting that environment, and the well-being of our youth, requires proactive, unified action.

In Solidarity,

The Black Political Empowerment Project