Several hundred Marcellus Shale drilling protesters marched and rallied outside the David L. Lawrence Convention Center Wednesday afternoon as the Developing Unconventional Gas East conference went on inside.

"We want to get people educated and aware across Pennsylvania," said rally coordinator Gloria Forouzan of Lawrenceville. "This is a first step but it's not the last step."

Members of Marcellus Protest, a grassroots alliance of Western Pennsylvania residents, organized Wednesday's events.

Armed with signs, chants, trumpets and drums, the group marched from Allegheny Landing on the North Side across the Rachel Carson Bridge, and halted to rally outside the convention center at the corner of Penn Avenue and 10th Street.

Rally organizers drew a crowd of seasoned protesters and environmental groups mixed with college students and politicians.

"We don't just have protests, we build movements, and that's how you change the world," said coordinator and emcee Mel Packer.

The Pittsburgh Student Environmental Coalition recruited many of the protesters as part of its efforts to raise the youth contingent of drilling opponents from Pittsburgh-area universities.

"I think there is a misconception that people out here are all radicals, but we all deserve clean drinking water," said Mary Carenbauer, a 19-year-old student at the University of Pittsburgh.

"It's becoming more urgent to take action because it's happening so close to where we are," said fellow Pitt student Suzie Block, also 19.

One of the speakers included drilling ban supporter and city councilman Doug Shields.

"This is about our health. This is about our children. This is about our air. This is about our clean water. This is about public safety. It's time for us to give our voices to this," he said.