Firebombs Must End

City Council Testimony, September 20, 2011

I recently sent a letter to Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, and I would like to share a part of it with you.

“Our community would like to let you know that we will once again be taking action regarding Pitt’s Homecoming Week fireworks display.

"Last year, the Pitt administration stated you, Fire Chief Darryl Jones, and Public Safety Director Mike Huss were partially responsible for the Homecoming Week fireworks display because each of you permitted the event. They also stated that Pitt’s Student Government was responsible because student fees paid for this fireworks display.

"This sharing of responsibility carries potential consequences. If an Oakland resident or hospital patient were adversely affected or injured by this massive fireworks display, then the three of you, as well as the members of Pitt’s Student Government, would be legally accountable.

"On May 24, 2011, in an email to Pitt’s Chief of Staff G. Reynolds Clark, I asked the following question: “Who makes the final decision on whether there will be a Homecoming Week fireworks display this year?” He refused to answer. The issue of responsibility seems to be one of avoidance rather than one of accountability, and therefore sends residents like myself elsewhere for answers. This fireworks display, unfortunately, is not one of celebration, but one of safety concerns.

"Our community hopes that the three of you, along with Pitt’s administrators and Student Government members, will have the wisdom and compassion to move this fireworks display to a venue outside of Oakland.”

-- End of letter.

In November of last year, one month after Pitt’s Homecoming Week fireworks display, Oakland’s three Council members sent a letter to Mr. Clark stating: “We respectfully request that the University review the issues raised by Mr. Giampolo.” Your request was ignored also, even though the three of you represent the entire community.

Homes as far away as Bloomfield shake from the exploding firebombs, so you can imagine what it does to homes that are only several hundred feet away. There is also a very real danger to hospital patients – especially ICU patients and those at Western Psychiatric Hospital. We will ask the president of one of the UPMC hospitals if he is willing to be an advocate voice for the hospital patients in Oakland.

In addition to the danger this fireworks represents to residents and hospital patients, the fireworks issue is also symbolic of a University administration that is trying to dominate our community, our Council and our Mayor. Know that our grassroots movement will continue in our efforts to end this and other injustices in our community. Will you now give us your support, or will you allow our community to become nothing more than Pitt’s playground?

Carlino Giampolo