11 charged in union-led Pa. education cuts protest

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh police say 11 people will be charged with obstructing traffic during a union-led demonstration against cuts to public education in the budget proposed by Gov. Tom Corbett.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says roughly 200 demonstrator were marching from the United Steelworkers Building to Corbett’s office downtown with a giant pencil bearing their signatures opposing the cuts.

When the protesters weren’t allowed in to the building where the governor’s office is located, police say some sat in the street and blocked traffic this morning. Cmdr. George Trosky says those who refused to move after several minutes were arrested and will be charged.

Most of the protesters belonged to the Service Employees International Union Local 32BJ.