On Sept. 24 and 25, the Group of 20 finance ministers and central bank governors (G-20), which encompasses some of the world’s 20 largest economies, will hold a summit in Pittsburgh to discuss ways to implement their agenda of plunder and exploitation. Their policies, while aimed at containing the current deep crisis of the capitalist system, continue to emphasize the unrestricted mobility and dominance of capital over people’s needs.
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Almost immediately after the city’s selection was announced, activists from Pittsburgh and throughout the country began to organize various actions to oppose the gathering. Protesters will be descending on Pittsburgh to demand money for jobs, health care and education, not for endless war and trillions in bank bailouts.
Among the events slated for the week of the conference is a March for Jobs, a People’s Tribunal, and a series of lectures and workshops called the People’s Summit. In addition, there will be a People’s March to the G-20 on September 25 that has attracted the support of over 60 organizations, including the National Assembly to End the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars and Occupations, the Thomas Merton Center Pittsburgh, Connecticut Students Against the War, Ohio Valley Peace, Pitt Students for Justice in Palestine, Philly Against War, and the ANSWER Coalition (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism).
The state, acting on behalf of the ruling class, has launched a multifaceted campaign to stifle dissent. According to the Aug. 22 New York Times, 900 local officers will be joined by an additional 4,000 law-enforcement personnel from departments throughout the country. Under the direction of the Secret Service, authorities will virtually close downtown Pittsburgh for the duration of the meeting.
What’s more, the city is dragging its feet when it comes to issuing permits for the various free speech activities. Permits for various gathering areas and marches have been denied or “conditionally approved,” but none have been issued. Several groups that wish to use Point State Park, located just a few blocks from the site of the summit, are encountering severe difficulties.
Even though the park is public space, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl’s office has insisted that protesters use it for only one day, not stay overnight, and share the Point with the police, who will be using the area immediately adjacent to the area proposed for protest as a staging area for their efforts to repress the protest and plans a “tent city” to house thousands of out-of-town police officers. Furthermore, the police are threatening to stop the People’s March well before it comes within sight or earshot of the delegates.
Finally, all of the organizing is being done under the shadow of the fear-mongering corporate media. Whipping up the usual hysteria about allegedly “violent out-of-towners,” these news outlets parrot the talking points of the G-20, shut out alternative views and demonize those planning to protest.
The city is rolling out the red carpet for the corporate criminals participating in the G-20 and trampling on basic Constitutional rights while the economic crisis continues to ravage the working people of Pittsburgh, the United States and the world. These violations of basic rights to free speech and assembly and the widespread slander against protesters have not gone unanswered. Organizers and activists are demanding that their civil liberties be respected.
On Aug. 20, a press conference was held to bring attention to these issues. This has put important political pressure on the mayor and others.
On Sept. 2, the Pittsburgh City Council held a hearing for public comment on a slate of legislation that would govern protest activity during the G-20 summit. Activists packed the hearing to testify in defense of the right to free speech, assembly and expression. Activists are hard at work in the Pittsburgh area building grassroots support for actions opposing the G-20 in their communities, workplaces, schools and everywhere they can. Large numbers of people will be coming from all over the region, the East Coast and the Midwest to protest the G-20 starting on Sept. 19 and culminating with the People’s March on Sept. 25.
If you are interested in working with the PSL during the week of activities, email [email protected] or call 202-543-4900.
