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Group protests opera award for Corbett
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Stacy Childs, left, and other protesters shout as people arrive at the Pittsburgh Opera's Strip District headquarters for an event honoring Governor Tom Corbett, who received Saturday a lifetime achievement award.
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More than 200 protesters swarmed sidewalks near Pittsburgh Opera's Strip District headquarters to protest an event honoring Gov. Tom Corbett with a lifetime achievement award.
Protesters objected to the award because they said the governor's lean education funding has forced many schools to cut arts education. The governor's office says it has increased funding to education in 2012-2013 by $338.1 million, or 3.7 percent.
Protesters gathered in the parking lot of Iron Workers Local Union #3 on Liberty Avenue and then marched along Penn Avenue to Pittsburgh Opera's Headquarters at Liberty and 25th Street. Speakers from local schools, teachers unions and civic group One Pittsburgh, which organized the event, galvanized the crowd as patrons entered the Maecenas XXVII gala, the Opera's annual end-of-season benefit.
Pittsburgh Opera director of marketing and Public Relations Debra Bell said the organization supported the group's right to protest but stood by the award.
Mr. Corbett was not seen entering the building.
First Published May 12, 2012 7:59 pm
