Last week, world leaders gathered in Pittsburgh for the G20 summit
and delivered - as usual - lots of talk but little promise for action.
There was definitely lots of action on the city's streets as security
forces clashed with protesters. Bill Quigley, Legal Director of the Center for Constitutional Rights and author of Storms Still Raging: Katrina, New Orleans and Social Justice is just back from Pittsburgh and breaks down the week's events for us.

Made in Pittsburgh within five days of the G20 summit, by a team from Pittsburgh Indymedia, Twin Cities Indymedia, Glassbead Collective, and Mobile Broadcast News, a new documentary: "Democracy 101 (Rough Cut)".

Democracy 101 is a look at the policing and pattern of issues that arise during from National Special Security Events. Made with footage from the recent repression of dissent in Pittsburgh, salvaged from the broken cameras, stolen video and arrested reporters.

SOUND WEAPONS DEPLOYED • JOURNALISTS ARRESTED • PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATORS ASSAULTED • CAMERAS BROKEN • VIDEO CONFISCATED • MILITARY ACTIONS AGAINST CIVILIANS • FIRST HAND REPORTS FROM THE BATTLE ZONE


View the 26-minute long video, from the makers of "Terrorizing Dissent" and friends at: http://rnc08report.org/archive/1198.shtml

I did a call in report back on the The Jeff Faris Show after the G20 festivities on friday.  Here's the podcast.

This being the only permitted action in dissent of the G20 Summit in Pittsburgh; it is, of course, full of great speeches and fun signs.

I realized after the fact that the organizers of the March had agreed to lead the 10 thousand plus participants by the nose away from the convention center after the protest by claiming to have another locations for speeches however the only speaker of note at the 2nd location was Cindy Sheehan.  I'm truly sorry Cindy but I did not film your wonderful speech because my mouth had food in it for the first time that day and I had not slept the night before.  Cindy's speech was , of course, brilliant; but not worth leaving the downtown area to hear.  

This protest should have just sat down in the street where we were until ..say.. Tuesday.  Haven't we learned anything from the Ukraine?

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A layman's explanation of why the g20 is a problem for poor and working class people all over the world.  This was the speech just before the 10,000 + strong permitted march began.

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During my afternoon of running from ear drum piercing sonic weapons and tear gas canisters while being chased in circles by dog and baton wielding cops in working class neighborhoods miles from the convention center I had the opportunity to talk to a lot of locals.  Here's what they said ... with a small dose of riot porn on the side.

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At a rally held in Pittsburgh's Point Park on the eve of the G20; we
hear from union leaders from the AFL-CIO, United Steel Workers Union
and city / state officials explain how the green economy, green jobs,
are what is need to save our economy.  Music by Kathy Matea and Joan
Jett.

RePower America

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Early morning Pagan Cluster Intervention on Clean Coal Demonstration Bus Tour with a Banner Drop

Obama and the G20 apparently have failed to uphold their promise to fully fund AIDs medications & research.

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The Seeds of Peace & Everybody's Kitchen buses were, for the
3rd time forcibly relocated. After Monday nights parking citation for
parking on the sidewalk, hours of inspecting the safety inspections The
mobile free kitchens got a late night wake up call when told that they
had to leave by NOON Tuesday. Here's that story.

The Seeds of Peace Bus & Everybody's Kitchen have been tirelessly trying to feed the people coming to Pittsburgh to express their 1st amendment rights despite a nearly constant police presence and unwarranted harassment. Even while dealing with a constant threat of drummed up arrests and confiscated buses they were still able to feed 200 people today. So There.

I just heard that they were once again being surrounded by the Cops.. 3am

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Street theater and police harassment in Pittsburgh for the G20 Summit on Monday 9/21.

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