Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Protesters Interrupt Mayor's G20 Briefing

Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato led a delegation to the National Press Club in Washington today to provide a briefing on the city's readiness to host the upcoming G20 Summit. The mayor was interrupted by protesters who accused him of being too slow to issue demonstration permits. However, the mayor reminded the protesters that more than a week ago he granted approval to 8 permit requests with the final say coming from the Secret Service. At that time, the Secret Service the pedestrian and vehicular restrictions near the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, the site of the summit. They have since announced the restricted zones.
One protester, 25 year old Morgan Goodwin, said "free speech is free speech, but it doesn't mean a thing if nobody hears you." The protesters were escorted out of the Press Club.
The mayor has said that the protesters will be able to be within sight and sound of the convention center.

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