G20 Protest Being Planned

A nonviolent protest is being organized to rally against next month's G20 summit. While reasons vary from lack of public input, the global economy, unemployment and war, the primary goal is to provide public education.

Thomas Merton Center Spokeswoman Melissa Minnich says they have not yet received a permit for the protest, but have received a response from Pittsburgh Police.

"If we left it up to them, they would be fine with us marching up to the City County Building. But I'm afraid they have no final say on it because the Secret Service is going to be handling all security issues. So we have no firm answer," she says.

She says they are going to march as far as they're allowed on September 25. The tentative plan is to begin in Oakland on Fifth Avenue & Craft at noon, then lead into downtown Pittsburgh near the City County Building by 2pm, and then end on 10th Street at 3:30pm, a mere block from the Convention Center.

Minnich says they expect this will be the largest event the Thomas Merton Center has organized, estimating thousands of participants.