Protest Group Still Awaiting Word on Permits

The Thomas Merton Center is planning an information session and mini-rally today at the City-County building to protest the lack of communication from city officials and what they call the “Federal bullying of Pittsburgh” regarding protesters’ rights. Merton Center spokes person Melissa Minnich says despite reports in the media that all of the protest permits had been approved by city administrators, they have yet to hear back on their status. The Center has requested five permits which include using Point State Park as a protest site and directing a march from Oakland to Downtown. She says they are training participants to use non-violent tactics and believes that the Secret Service has stymied their efforts protest in places where they will be noticed during this high-stakes summit of world leaders. The mini-rally will take place at 5:30 this afternoon on the steps of the City-County building.