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Reflecting New Global Economic Order, More Expansive G-20 to Replace G-8
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On the eve of the summit, Pittsburgh's streets were filled with motorcades ferrying dignitaries and marches by demonstrators. Security was tight, and protesters were at times met by phalanxes of riot police wielding pepper spray.
Mayor Luke Ravenstahl has implemented a massive security operation in the city. About 4,000 police officers have been brought in from across the country, some on loan from cities including Chicago and Philadelphia. The extra security will cost $19 million, Ravenstahl estimated.
Many of the residents who braved the streets near the convention center where the G-20 meetings are to take place appeared to be less awed by the dignitaries than by the sight of Pittsburgh under siege. Several bridges connecting the city to its downtown business core were closed to passenger vehicles. Sidewalks were deserted as most workers stayed home. An afternoon Pirates game at PNC Park attracted only 3,000 spectators.
Just outside the secured zone, hundreds of police officers in full riot gear clashed Thursday afternoon with demonstrators who had come to protest a variety of issues, including climate change and bank bailouts.
The protest began quietly but turned violent after demonstrators were joined by another group, many of them dressed in black and waving anti-government banners.
A window at a PNC bank branch was smashed, and marchers blocked roads with trash cans as police fired pepper spray into the crowd. Police used dogs, sound cannons and armored trucks to split up the protesters. Fifteen arrests were confirmed.
Jeff Wieland, a property manager for an office building at Sixth Avenue and Smithfield Street, a few blocks from the convention center, prepared for the worst. He said he spent thousands of dollars on a video surveillance system and stockpiled plywood in case of vandalism. "They said this would bring national attention to the city. Didn't the last Super Bowl do that?" he said, referring to the Steelers' championship in February.
Staff writer Alexi Mostrous contributed to this report.
