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You Can't Have an Equitable Economy While Ignoring Police Violence

Cities like Pittsburgh can’t herald inclusive innovation without stepping up to protect black lives like Antwon Rose’s from police.
Left: A Pittsburgh cop. Right: A billboard message in Armstrong County after the acquittal of police officer Michael Rosfeld.
Left: A Pittsburgh cop. Right: A billboard message in Armstrong County after the acquittal of police officer Michael Rosfeld.(Left photo by Emmai Alaquiva)

Two days after former East Pittsburgh police officer Michael Rosfeld was found not guilty of killing the unarmed teenager Antwon Rose II, an electronic billboard spotted in Armstrong County, about 50 miles north of Pittsburgh, displayed the images of Rosfeld and Rose side-by-side. The caption above Rosfeld’s photo read, “Policeman.” The caption above Rose’s picture read, “Criminal,” with overarching text that read, “Legal System Works." Text below the photos stated, "Justice Served, Get over it." It was one slide amidst a carousel of other racist images and messages. Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 reports that residents say the billboard belongs to local businessman John Placek.