Pittsburgh Police Deploy Tear Gas on G20 Protesters

As world leaders met to discuss international economics and diplomacy in Pittsburgh on Thursday evening, police used tear gas and ear-splitting sirens to keep throngs of youthful anti-globalization protesters at bay. The demonstrators, many of them dressed in black and some wearing black masks, overturned dustbins to make a barricade in the neighborhood of Lawrenceville.

"By order of the city of Pittsburgh chief of police, I hereby declare this to be an unlawful gathering. I order all of those present to immediately disperse," police officers said through powerful megaphones. At one point, the police began throwing tear gas canisters toward the group, catching one CNN reporter in the crossfire. A pattern developed as protesters would disperse and quickly reconvene a few streets away.


Stephen Boatwright, 21, a student from New York, said he objected to the G20 leaders convening behind closed doors. "I don't think Barack Obama should be making macro-economic or foreign policy decisions without my input," he said. Demonstrators carried signs saying "F--- world trade" and "Greedy 20 slave lords." Some threw rocks at police, and several were arrested.

Pittsburgh Deploys Teargas to Keep G20 Protesters at Bay [Gaurdian]