Pittsburgh City Council
Public Comments
End the Shame
of the
Legal Rape of Oakland
February 24, 2016
The shameful, never-ending expansion of the University of Pittsburgh has led to the legal rape of of Oakland in both the residential and business districts. Since the university’s arrival, the residential population has dwindled from nearly 100% to now approximately 20%. The business district is now being further destroyed with more student housing. Council members are a part of that shameful process due to either actions or inactions. The website OaklandDignity.com chronicles that shame.
All of you have experienced shame in life. It could have been from your sexual orientation, the color of your skin, gender, religious beliefs, or by others’ abusive verbal or physical actions, among other reasons. It was a shame that was passed on to you by others.
The University of Pittsburgh has passed on its shame to this council and the mayor, planning commission, zoning board, Oakland organizations, state government and the media. I have spoken before the council on over 30 occasions. However, one can also speak through silence. For one minute, I would like each of you to focus on this sign and the shame that the University of Pittsburgh leaders have passed on to each of you.
One minute of silence.
As you all know, shame that is masked, denied or ignored will continue to grow. We urge you to make the right choice to end your shame of the legal rape of Oakland.
Carlino Giampolo
Note: The reference to “legal rape” makes reference to “the land”; and not to “the people” as the Council President erroneously alluded to after the comments were made.
Pitthetic: noun – a university, organization, government entity, or individual that negatively impacts a community by action or inaction; adjective – pathetic as a direct result of a university, organization, government entity, or individual's negative influence.
OaklandDignity.com |