Protests? Pittsburgh Just Glad for Respect

(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»

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»

G20 protesters will take to the streets—legally

(NEWSER) - Pittsburgh police are preparing for a big afternoon march today after arresting 66 people yesterday. One big difference: Today's march to protest the G-20 summit is sanctioned, and organizers are requiring demonstrators to pledge to behave. Yesterday and last night, a group of self-described anarchists tried to march downtown before running into riot police, who eventually used pepper spray, the Post-Gazette reports. 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»

Some London violence, but festive, 'street party' atmosphere prevails

(NEWSER) - Several broken windows aside, the G20 protests are shaping up to be more street party than angry mob, Time reports. Unlike traditional, oft-violent British protests, this one is intended to be “a peaceful and fun street party,” organizers say. Indeed, while some anarchists chucked beer cans at cops, many others waved at workers of the banks they were protesting. More»