Pittsburgh Braces for Big March After 66 Arrests

Demonstration free of violence that marked yesterday's protests

(NEWSER) - Protesters again marched in Pittsburgh today while world leaders met at the G-20 summit, but the demonstration has so far been peaceful, in marked contrast to the mayhem that marked yesterday’s rally. The demonstration, organized by the antiwar Thomas Merton Center, made its way across town after an opening rally at noon. "We do not want violence. We do not want property damage. That's not our plan. Thomas Merton Center is an antiwar committee," said one protester. More»

Natives took the today's version of anarchy in characteristic stride

(NEWSER) - Native Pittsburghers definitely saw a motley crew of protesters invade for the G-20 summit this week, and were generally pretty unfazed. “It’s cool. People need to speak their mind,” one local told Bari Weiss, writing for the Wall Street Journal. “They didn’t bother anyone.” Indeed, the Steel City was looking for, and feels it got, new respect at home and abroad. More»

(NEWSER) - Protests in Pittsburgh are getting into full swing as Barack Obama and other world leaders arrive for the G-20 summit. Police fired pepper spray and smoke bombs to break up an unauthorized march of about 500 anarchists heading toward downtown, reports the Post-Gazette. Its live blog of the march says some protesters threw rocks at police, and at least one person was arrested. The G-20 summit gets under way tonight and wraps up tomorrow. More»

(NEWSER) - The longest serving bartender in the world—that Guinness-certified honor came 10 years ago—and slinger of one of the first beers after Prohibition ended is hanging up his cocktail shaker, the AP reports. Ninety-five-year-old Angelo Cammarata, owner of the beloved Cammarata’s Café in Pittsburgh, is selling after more than 70 years behind the bar. It’s bittersweet, he says. “This is a good bar. All my customers here are family.” More»

Former steel capital showcases economic recovery: White House

(NEWSER) - The Obama administration has picked Pittsburgh to host September’s G20 summit, where leaders representing 85% of the world’s economy will measure progress since the last meeting and discuss further action to curb the global crisis, the Post-Gazette reports. Hit hard by the steel industry’s decline, the revitalized city is committed to the president’s green economy, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs says. More»