Mayor: Protestors Should be Patient

Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl says groups that have applied for a permit to protest during the G20 should “take a deep breath.” He says there have been requests submitted from several organizations and the city is, “trying to find good locations for people to protest.” He says no applications have been approved and none have been declined. That includes a request from State Senator Jim Ferlo to use Point State Park as a protest area. Ravenstahl says that application will probable be denied because the city has asked the state to allow it to set up a tent city in the park to house police officers coming to the city to help with security. Ravenstahl says there will be room for everyone to be heard. He says, “by law we have to provide two spots that are both within visual distance and verbal distance from the convention center.” He says the exact location of the protest areas has not yet been determined.
In response to rumors that out of town protesters are breaking into abandon buildings and living in them, Ravenstahl asked anyone who knew of such activity to contact the police department so they could be removed.