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UNREST IN PITTSBURGH: Tear Gas Greets Protesters At G20
As the two-day Group of 20 summit brought leaders of the world’s industrialized nations here Thursday, the police were out in force, patrolling on bicycles, foot and horseback, by river and by air.
In the afternoon, protesters trying to march toward the convention center where the summit is being held encountered roaming squads of police officers carrying plastic shields and batons. After firing a sound cannon that emitted shrill beeps, causing demonstrators to cover their ears and back up, the police threw tear gas canisters that released billowing clouds of white smoke and concussion grenades that exploded with sharp flashes of light.
The protesters, who did not have a permit to march, at one point rolled a large blue metal trash container down 37th Street. It tipped over, stopping short of several police vehicles and in front of a women’s clothing and show boutique called Pavement.
“It was scary,” said Alissa Martin, the shop’s owner. “You feel like you’re living in a war zone.”
At least a dozen people were arrested, and no serious injuries were reported, according to city officials.
The city had locked down its business district, known as the Golden Triangle, in preparation for possible clashes. Riot fences lined the sidewalks. Police helicopters, gunboats and Humvees darted to and fro. City officials announced they had up to 1,000 jail cells ready after county officials freed up additional space last week by releasing 300 people who had been arrested on minor probation violations.
Many local residents stayed away from downtown Thursday fearing clashes between protesters and police.
But the intermittent conflicts that did occur were well outside the security perimeter surrounding the G-20 meetings.
Much of the afternoon involved a cat-and-mouse game in which protesters, many all in black, evaded large forces of heavily armed police officers in the streets near Liberty Avenue.
The police repeatedly announced over loud speakers that the crowd was assembled unlawfully.
“You must leave the immediate vicinity,” the voice over the loud speaker said, adding that if the protesters did not, they would be subject to arrest and would face “the use of riot control agents” and “less lethal munitions.” At that point, the police fired the tear gas and concussion grenades.
FOR CONTINUATION OF THIS STORY, CLICK THIS LINK FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES: Protesters Are Met by Tear Gas at G-20 Conference – NYTimes.com.
