Pittsburgh May Deny Permits For G20 Protesters
12 Comments »Giordano Bruno
Neithercorp Press
Being a resident of Pittsburgh, I can’t say that I am surprised by this latest development, however, it is still a little frustrating for a number of reasons. Pittsburgh is a city hanging by a thin sinewy thread. Its steel industry is all but gone. The “tech boom” that was supposed to save it didn’t really happen. The large medical industry in Pennsylvania has recently come under attack by Obama’s “final socialist solution”. In the end, there is very little holding this city together except an obsession with football. The announcement that the G20 Summit would be held here changed all that, at least in the minds of city officials and planners.
The very idea of the entire world watching Pittsburgh for two whole days has intoxicated them, and fantasies of Pittsburgh’s return to the glory years have clouded their judgment. They seem to even believe their own hype about Pittsburgh’s “economic, environmental and quality of life transformation.” Check out more of this nonsense here:
https://www.pittsburghg20.org/Partners.aspx
This is probably why the city has recently denied protest groups the permits necessary for them to “legally” march downtown, or to set up shop in Point Park, which is public property. The idea of mass dissent in the midst of their moment of glory surely does not sit well with them. Mayor Luke Ravenstahl claims that they are denying the authorization of permits to Point Park because it is to be used to house additional police officers and Federal Agents, and delaying permits for a downtown march because the Secret Service has yet to provide a security outline for the summit.
http://www.wpxi.com/politics/20429037/detail.html
Many protest groups see this as a stalling tactic, and rightly so. Federal Agents have had plenty of time to provide a security plan for the event, and protest groups have used Point Park as a home base for years.
“We provided our permits to the city early, to give them plenty of time to look them over. I’m not willing to keep filling out this permit, then that permit, as they deny them. The Point belongs to the people. It does not belong to the G-20. Everyone knows that we’re a nonviolent group, so why are they trying to deny our right to assemble?” said Code Pink organizer Francine Porter.
“Point State Park was big enough and would’ve been a safe venue for everyone, the place where we could have a peaceable assembly during the G-20,” said State Senator Jim Ferlo who was also denied a permit. “What we’re seeing is the de facto declaration of martial law Downtown during the G-20, and the city seems to be categorically acquiescing to federal demands for that.”
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_638774.html
It is obvious, at least to those of us in Pittsburgh, that the authorities have decided to make this event as difficult as possible for activists. But how far will they go? Pittsburgh Police have recently announced their visit to the Center for Domestic Preparedness, which is designed to train them in “law enforcement for crowd control and unlawful protest.” This also includes training from Combined Tactical Systems, a company specialized in equipment used in crowd control efforts.
Traditionally, protests that are undertaken without permits from the city tend to leave the door wide open for police brutality. Will the same thing happen September 24th and 25th in Pittsburgh? Hopefully not, but the city seem to be preparing diligently for the possibility, spending up to 10 Million for security provisions and 4000 extra police officers.
Another matter to consider is the state of the economy when the summit actually takes place. If the markets drop as they appear to be poised to do, and unemployment continues to spiral out of control, we could see a much more determined and angry form of activist at G20, as well as more violent police methods.
Also watch for announcements from BRIC countries this summit on the U.S. Dollar. A possible international switch away from the greenback and towards SDR’s is very likely before the year is out, which would mean disaster for the American economy.
Although the permit decisions by the city worry me, any way you slice it, this September will be interesting.
It’s up to you guys but I sure wouldn’t be deterred by the city’s refusal to issue permits. I know you risk police brutality, but you’ve got to make a stand somewhere. The permits are illegal. Save up for lawyers and test it in court if you have to. I wouldn’t even allow myself to engage in the Orwellian exercise of applying for a permit. You shouldn’t have to ask permission from the state to exercise your 1st Amendment. If you allow them to oppress you like this then there is no America, there is no Republic and the traditions of 1776 are lost. You might as well just move to Cuba or China.
I agree Rob, and I believe that’s exactly what protest groups have planned. A permit turns a right into a privilege controlled by the government. We don’t need “permission” from anyone to protest. My only concern is that police often use the excuse of “no permit” to start beating the crap out of people. The possibility of of this protest getting ugly will be multiplied tenfold if the permit issue is not resolved. If it does, so be it, but hey, it still sucks…..
The possibility of police brutality is a risk patriots have to accept. You will simply have to march – with or without the permits. Part of the American tradition is paying a price for freedom. You’re there again.
Freedom doesn’t come free or cheap. You will never be more alive than the moment you step out on to the street in defiance of a state that is systematically shackling you and other Americans.
I strongly recommend that each of you carry a camera with you with plenty of battery backup. Make it a live feed if you can. Take your cellphones with you so you can communicate, and create a record, in live time with the outside world. Protect you persons as best you can. Stick together. Don’t let the cops separate you.
Already with you there, man! Neithercorp will be presenting on-the-spot coverage of every development during the G20 with our kick ass video gear! Also, I’m not so worried for my own personal safety, I’ve got that covered, but I do worry about other people who may not be prepared for such violent eventualities……
Believe me, you’re preaching to the choir, brother. I was protesting at the Tea Parties before most people knew what the Tea Parties were.
All the best. I hope you guys do America proud. Sounds like you will :)
Seems everything I read labels the police as the anti-protest faction, oppressor of rights, etc. etc. Gimme a break. Police are the executors of public policy and law. They do what they’re told, and except in cases of individual poor judgement or outright maliciousness, that’s how they function. Take your issues up with the political “leaders”, and governing bodies and quit blaming police for doing what their governments (and yours) want them to do.
Former Police Person;
Its funny, but we hear the same excuse throughout history from the same kinds of men who refuse to take responsibility for their actions.
Police are “executors of public policy”? Give me a break! Police are human beings with conscience. Public policy according to the Constitution is to allow any and all redress of grievances towards the government, including political marches. It is GOVERNMENT, not public policy, who sends cops like you to obstruct protesters’ right to assemble. YOU and every other cop have a CHOICE. You are not robots. You know it is wrong to attack and intimidate peaceful protesters, and if you know it is wrong, then YOU must choose to listen to your conscience or ignore it. Therefore, if the public, or history, judges you in a bad light for ignoring your conscience, then you have no one to blame but yourself. You cops consistently disappoint me with your rhetoric. Be men for once and except responsibility for your actions, instead of pathetically deferring your free will over to some abstract governing body. If you make a wrong choice, YOU will be held accountable by the public, not just the government.
Former police person spare me the tired old line that you guys are just innocent good guys just doing their job. You have a duty to uphold the Constitution of the United States, not the will of (corrupt) politicians and business elites. It is illegal for you to carry out illegal orders. When you guys get told to attack protesters and/or stop their free speech, you’re supposed to say NO!
What’s the situation in Pittsburgh giordano? Any movement on those illegal permits? What’s the thinking of the protesters? I hear they’re talking about sticking you guys in free speech zones.
There is very little information coming from the city on this, just a lot of rumors. The city recently announced the possibility of National Guard being brought in for crowd control, which, I’m not sure is technically legal. The city has apparently approved a permit application from a group which I have been unable to identify, but they have yet to ISSUE any actual permits. There are rumors of two “free speech zones” but the city has yet to outline where they will be. All public transit will definitely be shut down in the downtown part of the city, and there are “rumors” that only two bridges across the rivers will be left open to the public. It sounds like a nightmare scenario, but a lot of things are not yet verified. As far as I know, the protesters will be marching regardless of what the city tries to pull, but they and the Feds appear to be heel bent on frightening anyone away from showing up at all. Hopefully, the protest groups here have the fortitude to not back down.
It appears that some groups are planning to sue the city:
http://www.wpxi.com/politics/20683875/detail.html
The city council is dragging out their decisions as long as possible. They did approve a permit application, but it was for the DAY BEFORE the actual event, and they still didn’t issue the actual permit. Something very strange is going on. Perhaps they are about to declare defacto martial law for 2 days in Pittsburgh………..