Police, protesters face off

Police are attempting to disperse hundreds of people in Lawrenceville to protest the G-20… Police are attempting to disperse hundreds of people in Lawrenceville to protest the G-20 Summit.

After police began to disperse a large group of protesters in Arsenal Park, the group reassembled near the corner of 34th Street and Penn Avenue. Police forces have used gas and very loud sirens while trying to break up the crowd.

Police used megaphones throughout the park to tell the demonstrators that they are in an unlawful gathering and must disperse.

Police in riot gear were stationed at various places along walls of the park with face masks. Some of them have weapons that appear to be rifles. A helicopter is flying above the protesters.

The Pittsburgh G-20 Resistance Project organized the march, which was planned to end Downtown.

“We invite you to take to the streets with all of your love and your anger, your determination and your defiance, your rejection and your vision,” the group’s website says.

The protesters represent a variety of different causes. One sign reads, “You know it’s a radical time because our teacher is the Earth.” Another says, “Support anarchy” on one side and “Smack an anarchist” on the other.

Richard McKita, a 19-year-old Pitt freshman, said that he came to the protest because he liked the general spirit of what the protesters supported.

“We don’t like the idea that 20 very rich and powerful people are going to make the decisions,” he said.