Tuesday, Jul 21st, 2009 ↓

Local G-20 Partnership publishes Protest Guide, local police buy tear gas


Photograph by Justin Merriman.  

As people from around the world prepare to come to Pittsburgh to exercise their right of free speech and peaceful assembly, a new booklet entitled “Know Your Rights: How and Where to Protest the G20,” is finding its place on the shelves of local bookstores (and rest stops on I-79). G20 Bed & Breakfast ace correspondent Mischa Barton reports.

Among the many helpful “DOs” and “DO NOT DOs” in the booklet, published by the Pittsburgh G-20 Partnership for the Pittsburgh Summit 2009, are included the following: 

  • Don’t: Block city streets or access to private property.
  • Do: Enjoy many of our fine purveyors of ice cream, including Dave & Andy’s Homemade Ice Cream & Yogurt
  • Don’t: Wear masks concealing your identity
  • Do: Buy authentic University of Pittsburgh athletic wear at The Pitt Stop on the corner of Forbes Ave. and Bigelow Blvd.
  • Don’t: Hold protest signs
  • Do: Wave ‘Terrible Towels.’


“Of course, there will always be those who just won’t listen to reason,” stated Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato, Co-Chair of the Pittsburgh G-20 Partnership for the Pittsburgh Summit 2009. “That’s why our nearly 900 city police officers are attending FEMA-run training programs, with some officers receiving additional training from a firm called Combined Tactical Systems. It’s amazing what 20 million dollars will buy a city.”

Read - Pittsburgh gears up security training for G20 summit
Read - The Pittsburgh G-20 Partnership
Read - Combined Tactical Systems of Jamestown, PA