2009 G20 Pittsburgh summit

3rd meeting of the G20, held in US G20 September 2026 September 2026 G20 Summit on Financial Markets and the World Economy 3rd G20 summit United States David L. Lawrence Convention Center Pittsburgh 24–25 September 2009 G20 + the Netherlands, Spain, NEPAD, ASEAN, the UN, the World Bank, the IMF, the WTO, APEC, and the FSF. 2nd 4th yes Logo Pittsburgh summit.jpg Barack Obama The 2009 G20 Pittsburgh Summit was the third meeting of the G20 heads of state and heads of government, held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, to discuss financial markets and the world economy. History The G20 is the premier forum for discussing, planning and monitoring international economic cooperation.Parliament (UK): Townsend, Ian. "G20 & the November 2010 Seoul summit" (SN/EP/5028) https://web.archive.org/web/20101107074318/http://www.parliament.uk/briefingpapers/commons/lib/research/briefings/snep-05028.pdf November 7, 2010 , 19 October 2010, retrieved 2011-04-07; excerpt, "Today, we designated the G-20 as the premier forum for our international economic cooperation" citing "Pittsburgh G20 Leaders' summit communiqué," ¶50 September 29, 2009, retrieved 2011-04-07; excerpt, "Today, we designated the G-20 as the premier forum for our international economic cooperation. We have asked our representatives to report back at the next meeting with recommendations on how to maximize the effectiveness of our cooperation. We agreed to have a G-20 Summit in Canada in June 2010, and in Korea in November 2010. We expect to meet annually thereafter, and will meet in France in 2011. The fall 2009 G20 summit was held at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, on September 24–25, 2009.http://kdka.com/politics/G20.summit.Pittsburgh.2.1022570.html Pittsburgh To Host Next G20 Summit May 28, 2009 KDKA August 6, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090701235412/http://kdka.com/politics/G20.summit.Pittsburgh.2.1022570.html July 1, 2009 Announced shortly after the April 2009 G20 London summit, U.S. President Barack Obama volunteered to host this summit, initially planning to hold it in New York City and coordinating it with the opening of the United Nations General Assembly. Due to coordination issues, however, the Obama Administration announced a change of venue on May 28, 2009 to Pittsburgh in order to highlight the city's economic recovery following the collapse of the city's manufacturing sector during the latter half of the 20th century. In response to the Global credit crisis, a G20 summit in one year was proposed shortly after the London summit in April 2009. Among the issues discussed was a proposal to radically reform the International Monetary Fund (IMF).https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/browns-assignment-for-next-g20-meeting-a-blueprint-for-imf-reform-1662232.html Brown's assignment for next G20 meeting: a blueprint for IMF reform Morris, Nigel Grice, Andrew April 4, 2009 The Independent August 6, 2009 London https://web.archive.org/web/20090408170729/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/browns-assignment-for-next-g20-meeting-a-blueprint-for-imf-reform-1662232.html April 8, 2009 French President Nicolas Sarkozy also suggested that there would be an evaluation of measures already taken.http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/International-Business/New-G20-summit-in-September-in-New-York-Sarkozy/articleshow/4352506.cms New G20 summit in September in New York: Sarkozy April 3, 2009 Economic Times August 6, 2009 live https://web.archive.org/web/20090412170435/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/International-Business/New-G20-summit-in-September-in-New-York-Sarkozy/articleshow/4352506.cms April 12, 2009 Summit facilities The primary venue of the summit was the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, which was at one point the largest Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-certified building in the world.http://www.pittsburghcc.com/cc/ David L. Lawrence Convention Center. David L. Lawrence Convention Center September 25, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20100118101936/http://www.pittsburghcc.com/cc/ January 18, 2010 A working dinner for world leaders was held at the Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, chosen to highlight its environmentally friendly features including an earth-sheltered welcome center and a Tropical Forest Conservatory described as the world's most energy efficient.http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/stories/2009/08/03/daily2.html White House chooses G20 venues around Pittsburgh August 3, 2009 Pittsburgh Business Times August 6, 2009 live https://web.archive.org/web/20090807113120/http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/stories/2009/08/03/daily2.html August 7, 2009 Other venues used around the city include The Andy Warhol Museum, the Pittsburgh High School for the Creative and Performing Arts and Rosemont, the working farm of Teresa Heinz Kerry. Preparations In the weeks leading up to the conference, many measures were taken to prepare Pittsburgh for the conference. Many streets in Downtown Pittsburgh were re-paved and a pre-season National Hockey League hockey game for the Pittsburgh Penguins at nearby Mellon Arena was rescheduled. During the week of the G20, many streets were closed, and traffic patterns were adjusted. Many public schools, universities and nearby businesses were closed, canceling classes or working remotely for the duration of the conference. Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl also attempted to alleviate problems by meeting beforehand with some of the groups expected to protest during the event.https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hUOiCuqnno7rA5O4JKyPRr3wQ_twD99OTAV00 G-20 police planning a puzzle for Pittsburgh chief Mandak Joe July 30, 2009 Associated Press August 6, 2009June 2024 medicmedic Security Thousands of protesters were expected during the week of the Summit, which was classified as a National Special Security Event. Security was coordinated by the United States Secret Service, working in conjunction with the Pittsburgh Police. It is estimated that 4,000 police officers were requested, and the city only had 900 police officers at the time of the event. The Pennsylvania State Police committed more than 1,000 officers for the downtown event, including SWAT, helicopter, mounted, undercover, bicycle and motorcycle officers. Allegheny County had 75 officers specifically trained by and embedded into the Pittsburgh Police Bureau for the event since June. New York City and Baltimore also committed some officers, as well as Pittsburgh suburbs. Some officers from Chicago traveled to assist, taking vacation days from their department. All officers, regardless of department, were under the command of the Secret Service for the event days.http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09238/993205-482.stm 1,000 state police on the way for G20 summit. Sherman, Jerome L. Lord, Rich August 26, 2009 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette September 22, 2009 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110927091755/http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09238/993205-482.stm September 27, 2011 Chinook and Black Hawk helicopters, armored Humvees and crews of U.S. Army soldiers, as well as 10 25-foot boats with M240 machine guns from the Coast Guard, were on hand in the event of large-scale violent protests or a terrorist attack.Robin Acton http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_644620.html Public urged not to worry at sight of helicopters, gunboats, Humvees September 24, 2009 Tribune-Review September 25, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090927100255/http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_644620.html September 27, 2009 Attendance thumb|250px|Leaders of the G20 countries present at the Pittsburgh Summit. G20 leaders began gathering in Pittsburgh on September 24, 2009. On the evening of September 24, the leaders attended a reception at Phipps Conservatory in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh.http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09268/1000718-482.stm Smiling in the rain, Obamas host gala at Phipps. Carpenter Mackenzie September 25, 2009 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette September 25, 2009 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090928112644/http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09268/1000718-482.stm September 28, 2009 The Summit proper began on the morning of September 25 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, downtown. Core participants The following participants of the Pittsburgh summit represented the core members of the G20,Andrews, Edmund L. "Global Economic Forum to Expand Permanently," https://web.archive.org/web/20170314202425/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/25/world/25summit.html?fta=y 2017-03-14 New York Times. September 24, 2009. which includes 19 countries and the European Union which is represented by its two governing bodies, the European Council and the European Commission.Rieffel, Lex. "Regional Voices in Global Governance: Looking to 2010 (Part IV)," https://web.archive.org/web/20100603074840/http://www.brookings.edu/opinions/2009/0327_global_governance_rieffel.aspx June 3, 2010 Brookings. March 27, 2009; "core" members (G20 Toronto, official site) https://web.archive.org/web/20100618203130/http://g20.gc.ca/about-the-g20/g20-members/ June 18, 2010 thumb|right|250px|Dmitry Medvedev and Recep Tayyip Erdogan with interpreters in the foreground. thumb|right|250px|Hu Jintao and Barack Obama at the plenary session of the summit G20 membersHost nation and leader are indicated in bold text. Member Represented by Title ARG Argentina Cristina Fernández de KirchnerUniversity of Toronto, G20 Information Centre, https://web.archive.org/web/20091226093416/http://www.g20.utoronto.ca/ 2009-12-26 "Plans for the Fourth G20 Summit: Co-chaired by Canada and Korea in Ontario, Canada, June 2010," pp. 14–15; https://web.archive.org/web/20091116221001/http://www.g20.utoronto.ca/g20plans/g20plans091102.pdf 2009-11-16 Argentina (G20 Pittsburgh, official site) https://web.archive.org/web/20100527084150/http://www.pittsburghsummit.gov/about/g20/index.htm 2010-05-27 . President AUS Australia Kevin RuddG20 Centre, "Plans for the Fourth G20 Summit: Co-chaired by Canada and Korea in Ontario, Canada, June 2010," pp. 14–16; https://web.archive.org/web/20091116221001/http://www.g20.utoronto.ca/g20plans/g20plans091102.pdf 2009-11-16 Australia (G20 Pittsburgh, official site) https://web.archive.org/web/20100527084150/http://www.pittsburghsummit.gov/about/g20/index.htm 2010-05-27 . Prime Minister Brazil Brazil Luiz Inácio Lula da SilvaG20 Centre, "Plans for the Fourth G20 Summit: Co-chaired by Canada and Korea in Ontario, Canada, June 2010," pp. 14–16; https://web.archive.org/web/20091116221001/http://www.g20.utoronto.ca/g20plans/g20plans091102.pdf 2009-11-16 Brazil (U Toronto site); https://web.archive.org/web/20100627125533/http://www.g20.utoronto.ca/2010/to-participants.html 2010-06-27 Brazil (G20 Pittsburgh, official site) https://web.archive.org/web/20100527084150/http://www.pittsburghsummit.gov/about/g20/index.htm 2010-05-27 . President CAN Canada Stephen HarperG20 Centre, "Plans for the Fourth G20 Summit: Co-chaired by Canada and Korea in Ontario, Canada, June 2010," pp. 14–16; https://web.archive.org/web/20091116221001/http://www.g20.utoronto.ca/g20plans/g20plans091102.pdf 2009-11-16 Canada (G20 Pittsburgh, official site) https://web.archive.org/web/20100527084150/http://www.pittsburghsummit.gov/about/g20/index.htm 2010-05-27 . Prime Minister China China Hu JintaoG20 Centre, "Plans for the Fourth G20 Summit: Co-chaired by Canada and Korea in Ontario, Canada, June 2010," pp. 14–16; https://web.archive.org/web/20091116221001/http://www.g20.utoronto.ca/g20plans/g20plans091102.pdf 2009-11-16 China (G20 Pittsburgh, official site) https://web.archive.org/web/20100527084150/http://www.pittsburghsummit.gov/about/g20/index.htm 2010-05-27 . President FRA 1974 France Nicolas SarkozyG20 Centre, "Plans for the Fourth G20 Summit: Co-chaired by Canada and Korea in Ontario, Canada, June 2010," pp. 14–17; https://web.archive.org/web/20091116221001/http://www.g20.utoronto.ca/g20plans/g20plans091102.pdf 2009-11-16 France (G20 Pittsburgh, official site) https://web.archive.org/web/20100527084150/http://www.pittsburghsummit.gov/about/g20/index.htm 2010-05-27 . President Germany Germany Angela MerkelG20 Centre, "Plans for the Fourth G20 Summit: Co-chaired by Canada and Korea in Ontario, Canada, June 2010," pp. 14–17; https://web.archive.org/web/20091116221001/http://www.g20.utoronto.ca/g20plans/g20plans091102.pdf 2009-11-16 Merkel (U Toronto site); https://web.archive.org/web/20100627125533/http://www.g20.utoronto.ca/2010/to-participants.html 2010-06-27 Germany (G20 Pittsburgh, official site) https://web.archive.org/web/20100527084150/http://www.pittsburghsummit.gov/about/g20/index.htm 2010-05-27 Chancellor IND India Manmohan SinghG20 Centre, "Plans for the Fourth G20 Summit: Co-chaired by Canada and Korea in Ontario, Canada, June 2010," pp. 14–17; https://web.archive.org/web/20091116221001/http://www.g20.utoronto.ca/g20plans/g20plans091102.pdf 2009-11-16 India (G20 Pittsburgh, official site) https://web.archive.org/web/20100527084150/http://www.pittsburghsummit.gov/about/g20/index.htm 2010-05-27 . Prime Minister Indonesia Indonesia Susilo Bambang YudhoyonoG20 Centre, "Plans for the Fourth G20 Summit: Co-chaired by Canada and Korea in Ontario, Canada, June 2010," pp. 14–17; https://web.archive.org/web/20091116221001/http://www.g20.utoronto.ca/g20plans/g20plans091102.pdf 2009-11-16 Indonesia (G20 Pittsburgh, official site) https://web.archive.org/web/20100527084150/http://www.pittsburghsummit.gov/about/g20/index.htm 2010-05-27 . President Italy Italy Silvio BerlusconiG20 Centre, "Plans for the Fourth G20 Summit: Co-chaired by Canada and Korea in Ontario, Canada, June 2010," pp. 14–17; https://web.archive.org/web/20091116221001/http://www.g20.utoronto.ca/g20plans/g20plans091102.pdf 2009-11-16 Italy (G20 Pittsburgh, official site) https://web.archive.org/web/20100527084150/http://www.pittsburghsummit.gov/about/g20/index.htm 2010-05-27 . Prime Minister Japan Japan Yukio HatoyamaG20 Centre, "Plans for the Fourth G20 Summit: Co-chaired by Canada and Korea in Ontario, Canada, June 2010," pp. 14–18; https://web.archive.org/web/20091116221001/http://www.g20.utoronto.ca/g20plans/g20plans091102.pdf 2009-11-16 Japan (G20 Pittsburgh, official site) https://web.archive.org/web/20100527084150/http://www.pittsburghsummit.gov/about/g20/index.htm 2010-05-27 . Prime Minister MEX Mexico Felipe CalderónG20 Centre, "Plans for the Fourth G20 Summit: Co-chaired by Canada and Korea in Ontario, Canada, June 2010," pp. 14–18; https://web.archive.org/web/20091116221001/http://www.g20.utoronto.ca/g20plans/g20plans091102.pdf 2009-11-16 Mexico (G20 Pittsburgh, official site) https://web.archive.org/web/20100527084150/http://www.pittsburghsummit.gov/about/g20/index.htm 2010-05-27 . President RUS Russia Dmitry MedvedevG20 Centre, "Plans for the Fourth G20 Summit: Co-chaired by Canada and Korea in Ontario, Canada, June 2010," pp. 14–18; https://web.archive.org/web/20091116221001/http://www.g20.utoronto.ca/g20plans/g20plans091102.pdf 2009-11-16 Russia (G20 Pittsburgh, official site) https://web.archive.org/web/20100527084150/http://www.pittsburghsummit.gov/about/g20/index.htm 2010-05-27 . President Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia Abdullah bin Abdul AzizG20 Centre, "Plans for the Fourth G20 Summit: Co-chaired by Canada and Korea in Ontario, Canada, June 2010," pp. 14–18; https://web.archive.org/web/20091116221001/http://www.g20.utoronto.ca/g20plans/g20plans091102.pdf 2009-11-16 Saudi Arabia (G20 Pittsburgh, official site) https://web.archive.org/web/20100527084150/http://www.pittsburghsummit.gov/about/g20/index.htm 2010-05-27 King RSA South Africa Jacob ZumaG20 Centre, "Plans for the Fourth G20 Summit: Co-chaired by Canada and Korea in Ontario, Canada, June 2010," pp. 14–19; https://web.archive.org/web/20091116221001/http://www.g20.utoronto.ca/g20plans/g20plans091102.pdf 2009-11-16 South Africa (G20 official site) https://web.archive.org/web/20100527084150/http://www.pittsburghsummit.gov/about/g20/index.htm 2010-05-27 President South Korea 1997 South Korea Lee Myung-bakG20 Centre, "Plans for the Fourth G20 Summit: Co-chaired by Canada and Korea in Ontario, Canada, June 2010," pp. 14–19; https://web.archive.org/web/20091116221001/http://www.g20.utoronto.ca/g20plans/g20plans091102.pdf 2009-11-16 South Korea (G20 Pittsburgh, official site) https://web.archive.org/web/20100527084150/http://www.pittsburghsummit.gov/about/g20/index.htm 2010-05-27 . President Turkey Turkey Recep Tayyip ErdoğanG20 Centre, "Plans for the Fourth G20 Summit: Co-chaired by Canada and Korea in Ontario, Canada, June 2010," pp. 14–19; https://web.archive.org/web/20091116221001/http://www.g20.utoronto.ca/g20plans/g20plans091102.pdf 2009-11-16 Turkey (G20 Pittsburgh, official site) https://web.archive.org/web/20100527084150/http://www.pittsburghsummit.gov/about/g20/index.htm 2010-05-27 Prime Minister UK United Kingdom Gordon BrownG20 Centre, "Plans for the Fourth G20 Summit: Co-chaired by Canada and Korea in Ontario, Canada, June 2010," pp. 14–19; https://web.archive.org/web/20091116221001/http://www.g20.utoronto.ca/g20plans/g20plans091102.pdf 2009-11-16 United Kingdom (G20 Pittsburgh, official site) https://web.archive.org/web/20100527084150/http://www.pittsburghsummit.gov/about/g20/index.htm 2010-05-27 Prime Minister US United States Barack ObamaG20 Centre, "Plans for the Fourth G20 Summit: Co-chaired by Canada and Korea in Ontario, Canada, June 2010," pp. 14–19; https://web.archive.org/web/20091116221001/http://www.g20.utoronto.ca/g20plans/g20plans091102.pdf 2009-11-16 Obama (G20 Pittsburgh, official site) https://web.archive.org/web/20100527084139/http://www.pittsburghsummit.gov/about/summit/index.htm 2010-05-27 President European Union European Commission José Manuel BarrosoG20 Centre, "Plans for the Fourth G20 Summit: Co-chaired by Canada and Korea in Ontario, Canada, June 2010," pp. 14–20; https://web.archive.org/web/20091116221001/http://www.g20.utoronto.ca/g20plans/g20plans091102.pdf 2009-11-16 Barroso (G20 Pittsburgh, official site) https://web.archive.org/web/20100527084742/http://www.pittsburghsummit.gov/documents/organization/129679.pdf 2010-05-27 President European Council Fredrik ReinfeldtG20 Centre, "Plans for the Fourth G20 Summit: Co-chaired by Canada and Korea in Ontario, Canada, June 2010," pp. 14–19; https://web.archive.org/web/20091116221001/http://www.g20.utoronto.ca/g20plans/g20plans091102.pdf 2009-11-16 European Council (G20 Pittsburgh, official site) https://web.archive.org/web/20100527084150/http://www.pittsburghsummit.gov/about/g20/index.htm 2010-05-27 PresidentInvited states State Represented by Title Ethiopia Ethiopia Meles Zenawi Prime Minister Netherlands Netherlands Jan Peter Balkenende Prime Minister Spain Spain José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero Prime Minister Thailand Thailand Abhisit Vejjajiva Prime MinisterInternational organisations Organisation Represented by Title ASEAN Surin PitsuwanRana, Pradumna B. "How can Asia strengthen its voice at G-20?" Korea Times. July 6, 2010; excerpt, "Under the present G-20 practice of inviting representatives of regional groupings, the ASEAN chair and the ASEAN secretary general participated at the London, Pittsburgh, and Toronto summits;" Secretary General Abhisit Vejjajiva ChairmanItiporn Lakarnchua. "PM to assert Thailand, ASEAN determinations to international community during G-20," https://web.archive.org/web/20110720175332/http://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news.php?id=255209210012 2011-07-20 National News Bureau of Thailand. 21 September 2009; excerpt, Thai Prime Minister "... representing the ASEAN as Thailand is currently heading the regional organization." Financial Stability Forum Mario Draghi Chairman International Monetary Fund Dominique Strauss-Kahn Managing Director New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) Meles Zenawi Chairman Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development José Ángel Gurría Secretary General United Nations United Nations Ban Ki-moon Secretary General World Bank Group Robert Zoellick President World Trade Organization Pascal Lamy Director-General Protests thumb|right|Protesters in the Lawrenceville neighborhood of Pittsburgh on September 24. After numerous denials of permits for groups such as Code Pink and Three Rivers Climate Convergence to assemble peaceful demonstrations, the ACLU of Pennsylvania successfully sued to force the city of Pittsburgh to allow demonstrations around the G20 Summit. http://www.aclupa.org/legal/legaldocket/g20case.htm Code Pink vs US Secret Service 2009-09-11 ACLU Pennsylvania 5 October 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20091003025435/http://www.aclupa.org/legal/legaldocket/g20case.htm 3 October 2009 http://blog.aclu.org/2009/09/24/fighting-for-free-speech-at-the-g20-in-pittsburgh/ Fighting for Free Speech at the G20 in Pittsburgh 2009-09-24 ACLU Pennsylvania 5 October 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20091002095521/http://blog.aclu.org/2009/09/24/fighting-for-free-speech-at-the-g20-in-pittsburgh/ 2 October 2009 Participants in the protests surrounding the summit included peace, environmental, labor and social justice organizations.http://www.thomasmertoncenter.org/g20action.htm Action at the G-20 Summit Thomas Merton Center 23 August 2009 live https://web.archive.org/web/20090813084555/http://www.thomasmertoncenter.org/g20action.htm 13 August 2009 The first of the alternate events was a Peoples' Summit, involving an all-day session of speakers, panels and workshops on September 19, the Saturday before the G20 Summit, drawing about 500 participants, and continuing on Monday and Tuesday evenings, each drawing between 100 and 200. The Peoples' Summit included outright opponents of the G20 (such as radical historian Howard Zinn, who addressed the gathering via special video) as well as some who hoped to influence it in what they considered to be "progressive" directions. The Pittsburgh City Council proclaimed "that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby commend the Peoples' Summit, all associated institutions and organizations, and the citizen volunteers who worked tirelessly to make it a success. Their outstanding efforts are certain to create a greater understanding about the challenges we face, the solutions we should explore and the social dialogue that is necessary for the realization of a better world. Furthermore, the citizens of our region are encouraged to seize the opportunity to participate in this significant and historic event." The Peoples' Summit itself advanced some of the themes that surfaced in protests when the G20 Summit actually met: "We envision a world in which basic rights—freedom of expression, freedom of thought and religion, freedom from fear, and freedom from want—are enjoyed by all people. This is not the reality of our world today. Yet, in our diversity and plurality of orientations, inspired by mutual respect and the spirit of solidarity, we share the conviction that another world is possible."http://www.peoplessummit.com/ For The People: www.peoplessummit.com www.peoplessummit.com 15 January 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20010905111526/http://www.peoplessummit.com/ 5 September 2001 http://www.post-gazette.com/multimedia/default.asp?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipid=4356576 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Post-Gazette Video dead https://web.archive.org/web/20100522055427/http://www.post-gazette.com/multimedia/default.asp?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipid=4356576 2010-05-22 http://focusweb.org/500-gather-for-smmit-of-the-people-ahead-of-pittsburgh-g-20-meet.html?Itemid=1 Focus on the Global South - 500 Gather for Summit of the People ahead of Pittsburgh G 20 Meet 2011-05-26 https://web.archive.org/web/20110606090303/http://focusweb.org/500-gather-for-smmit-of-the-people-ahead-of-pittsburgh-g-20-meet.html?Itemid=1 2011-06-06 This was followed by a number of tent cities, demonstrations and other summits. There was also an alternative conference on Tuesday called the Freedom Conference 2009, stressing conservative grassroots solutions and free-market approaches.http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_640277.html Prine Carl Groups organize alternative in Oakland to economic summit Pittsburgh Tribune-Review August 27, 2009 September 22, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090829145931/http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_640277.html August 29, 2009 At around 10:15 a.m. on Wednesday, September 23, Greenpeace activists hung a banner, warning of the dangers of increased CO2 emissions, from the deck of the West End Bridge facing downtown Pittsburgh over the Ohio River.http://kdka.com/local/West.End.Bridge.2.1202586.html Eight Arrested After West End Bridge Demonstration. September 23, 2009 KDKA-TV September 25, 2009 https://archive.today/20090927010806/http://kdka.com/local/West.End.Bridge.2.1202586.html dead September 27, 2009 While traffic was held up for a period, all eight activists were placed under arrest after surrendering peacefully. On Thursday, September 24, the Pittsburgh G20 Resistance Project held a march and a day of direct action at Arsenal Park in the city's Lawrenceville neighborhood. Police fired pepper spray at a crowd of an estimated 500 demonstrators to disperse a protest march a few hours before the start of the Summit.https://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/25/us/25pittsburgh.html Protesters Are Met by Tear Gas at G-20 Conference. Urbina Ian September 24, 2009 The New York Times September 25, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20110714175036/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/25/us/25pittsburgh.html July 14, 2011 livehttp://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09268/1000737-482.stm Protesters clash with police throughout day, night. Roddy Dennis B. September 25, 2009 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette September 25, 2009 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090928083606/http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09268/1000737-482.stm September 28, 2009 Police also used a Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) to remove protesters from an area after warning them several times to disperse. This was believed by city officials to be the first time that an LRAD had been used to disperse protesters within the United States. Since then, LRADs have been used to disperse crowds on several occasions. thumb|right|Riot police exit a city bus in the Oakland neighborhood on September 24. Later in the evening, another small crowd gathered in Schenley Plaza, as world leaders met that evening at the Phipps Conservatory nearby for a working dinner. Hundreds of police swarmed and encircled the peaceful crowd, which spilled over onto Forbes Avenue and Bigelow Boulevard near the Cathedral of Learning.http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09269/1001054-100.stm 40 arrested in clash with police in Oakland Balingit, Moriah Nereim, Vivian September 26, 2009 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette September 26, 2009 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090930083724/http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09269/1001054-100.stm September 30, 2009 An estimated 300 riot police lined the sidewalk behind the William Pitt Union, with 200 more officers blocking Forbes Avenue nearby to contain the protesters. However, the crowd quickly grew to about 500 as nearby University of Pittsburgh students—evident by shouts of "Let's Go Pitt!" heard—curious about the sirens and police presence, joined the crowd. Police shot several rounds of pepper spray into the crowd. Nearby businesses along Forbes Avenue and Craig Street were also vandalized after the police attempted to break up the demonstration. The University of Pittsburgh alerted students via text message that, "Conditions may be deteriorating in Oakland. Students are advised to remain near their residences." thumb|right|The Peoples' March begins its journey toward East Allegheny, after a series of speakers lectured in front of the City-County Building. The Pittsburgh G20 Resistance Project called for "Everywhere Protests" at various locations and businesses (mostly banks and large corporations) throughout the city Friday morning (September 25). These were not very large scale protests. Some protesters wore black and twirled hula hoops at Forbes Avenue and Atwood Street in the Oakland neighborhood. There was also a small gathering of protesters at a Starbucks Coffee on Centre Avenue in the city's East Liberty neighborhood as well.http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/21113974/detail.html Oakland Protesters Hula; No Large Actions On G-20 'Everywhere Protest'. September 25, 2009 WTAE-TV September 25, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090926171957/http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/21113974/detail.html September 26, 2009 Yet Friday also saw massive actions involving a broad coalition headed by the pacifist-oriented Thomas Merton Center. As one speaker emphasized at the action's start, said, "I remind you, this is a peaceful, permitted march. We're confronting G20 policies, not police." This "Peoples' March" (linked in the minds of many with issues raised in the earlier Peoples' Summit) was punctuated by three rallies (following the route of the march, in Oakland, in downtown Pittsburgh on the steps of City Hall, and on Pittsburgh's North Side), with an estimated 5000 to 8000 participants. The demonstration was quite diverse, including religious and community activists, anarchists, socialists, environmentalists, human rights advocates, opponents of war, trade unionists, veterans, and others. The mood of the action tended to be uncompromisingly critical of the G20, of big corporations, and of capitalism as such. "We're rallying here just a few miles from where the corporate robber barons have settled down to divide up the planet, that group of bankers, financiers and political leaders who have wreaked havoc upon our world," proclaimed one of the speakers, urging listeners to "fight for another world, put people before profits." The crowd roared with approval, and others spoke in a similar vein, but the assembly was completely free from violence and arrests.http://community.post-gazette.com/media/p/219318.aspx Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "Peoples' March" against G-2p Politics May 25, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20120427021612/http://community.post-gazette.com/media/p/219318.aspx April 27, 2012 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09268/1000756-482.stm Pittsburgh Post-Gazette May 25, 2011 G-20 protesters hold peaceful march from Oakland to North Side September 25, 2009 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20101111043359/http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09268/1000756-482.stm November 11, 2010http://www.wtae.com/news/21114242/detail.html WTAE-TV Massive 'Peoples' March' Touches Oakland, Downtown, North Side September 25, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20111005172721/http://www.wtae.com/news/21114242/detail.html 2011-10-05 May 12, 2013https://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/26/world/26pittsburgh.html The New York Times May 25, 2011 Ian Urbina Thousands Hold Peaceful March at G-20 Summit September 26, 2009 live https://web.archive.org/web/20110811051034/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/26/world/26pittsburgh.html August 11, 2011https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SePqkkSTto&NR=1&feature=fvwp Thousands protest at G20 May 12, 2013 live https://web.archive.org/web/20150706194837/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SePqkkSTto&NR=1&feature=fvwp July 6, 2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfE9NjvflAc Ashley Smith Speech at The Peoples March Against the G20 May 12, 2013 live https://web.archive.org/web/20150709105141/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfE9NjvflAc July 9, 2015 Much of the news media tended to minimize peaceful protests, however, and gave greater attention to arrests. These included controversial police actions of Friday evening, after the G20 Summit and the organized protests had ended. Taking place in Schenley Plaza and at the nearby University of Pittsburgh campus, they involved more sweeping arrests, and more charges of police violence, than had been the case the night before. According to police accounts, about 4,500 people participated in protests throughout the city, with 190 arrests being made.http://www.philly.com/philly/wires/ap/news/state/pennsylvania/20091001_ap_groupsupsetoverg20arrestsplanrally.html Groups upset over G-20 arrests plan rally. October 1, 2009 The Philadelphia Inquirer October 2, 2009 June 2016 medicmedic Approximately $50,000 worth of damage was caused to area businesses, with $15,000 worth being attributed to one individual, David Japenga of California, accused of breaking 20 windows and doors in Oakland on Thursday night.G-20 Summit vandal found guilty of all charges August 26, 2010 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette August 26, 2010 https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2010/08/26/G-20-Summit-vandal-found-guilty-of-all-charges/stories/201008260446/08/26/g-20-summit-vandal-found-guilty-of-all-charges/201008260446 https://web.archive.org/web/20191021180127/https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2010/08/26/G-20-Summit-vandal-found-guilty-of-all-charges/stories/201008260446/08/26/g-20-summit-vandal-found-guilty-of-all-charges/201008260446 dead October 21, 2019 New York City activist Elliott "Smokey" Madison used Twitter to report an order to disperse message from the Pittsburgh police during the protests. Police raided Madison's hotel room, and one week later Madison's New York home, Tortuga House, was raided by FBI agents. Police claim Madison and a co-defendant used computers and a radio scanner to track police movements and then passed on that information to protesters using cell phones and the social networking site Twitter. Madison was charged with hindering apprehension or prosecution, criminal use of a communication facility, and possession of instruments of crime. All protesters that were arrested were processed and held at the State Correctional Institution - Pittsburgh.http://www.democracynow.org/2009/10/6/twitter_crackdown_nyc_activist_arrested_for Twitter Crackdown: NYC Activist Arrested for Using Social Networking Site during G-20 Protest in Pittsburgh 2009-10-06 Democracy Now! 1 December 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20091109023023/http://www.democracynow.org/2009/10/6/twitter_crackdown_nyc_activist_arrested_for 9 November 2009 live https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2009/10/man-arrested-twittering-goes-court-eff-has-documen Man Arrested for Twittering Goes to Court, EFF Has the Documents 2009-10-05 Electronic Frontier Foundation 1 December 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20091126174508/http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2009/10/man-arrested-twittering-goes-court-eff-has-documen 26 November 2009 live http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/20091006_watch_what_you_tweet/?ln Watch What You Tweet 2009-10-06 Amy Goodman Amy Goodman truthdig 1 December 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20091129083005/http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/20091006_watch_what_you_tweet/?ln 29 November 2009 live Response Dozens of University of Pittsburgh students who say they were wrongfully arrested and subjected to heavy-handed police tactics during the G20 meeting called for an investigation into the police actions. http://www.pittnews.com/node/20196 Pitt's ACLU student group hosts post-G-20 speak-out 2009-09-30 Eva Bugos The Pitt News 5 October 2009 July 2018 Trade yes http://www.democracynow.org/2009/10/2/pittsburgh_police_challenged_over_use_of Pittsburgh Police Challenged over Use of Sound Cannons During G-20 and for Wrongfully Arresting Dozens of University of Pittsburgh Students October 2, 2009 Democracy Now! 5 October 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20091005030259/http://www.democracynow.org/2009/10/2/pittsburgh_police_challenged_over_use_of 5 October 2009 live Outcome One of the first major announcements to come out of the meeting was that the group will become the new permanent council for international economic cooperation. This means that the much larger G20 meeting will essentially replace the smaller G8, which will continue to meet on major security issues but will carry reduced influence. This decision will help to include major developing nations – such as China, India and Brazil – which were originally not included in the G8.http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/09/24/us.g.twenty.summit/ Officials: G-20 to supplant G-8 as international economic council September 24, 2009 CNN September 25, 2009 live https://web.archive.org/web/20090928053524/http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/09/24/us.g.twenty.summit/ September 28, 2009 References 30em Further reading Earl Jennifer Rohlinger Deana A. Kutz-Flamenbaum Rachel V. Staggenborg Suzanne Duncan Brittany J. Media Framing of the Pittsburgh G-20 Protests Research in Social Movements, Conflicts and Change 33 109–135 2012 en 978-1-78052-880-9 Emerald Group Publishing Limited 10.1108/S0163-786X(2012)0000033008 mdy-all External links G20 Information Centre Graphic: G20 is not simply the 20 largest economies Official website Official partnership site G20 Media Project G-20 Protests Turn Violent - slideshow by Life magazine Police Crackdown on G20 Protests - video report by Democracy Now! Fortress Pittsburgh by Robert S. Eshelman, The Nation, September 25, 2009 http://www.democracynow.org/2009/10/2/pittsburgh_police_challenged_over_use_of Pittsburgh Police Challenged over Use of Sound Cannons During G-20 and for Wrongfully Arresting Dozens of University of Pittsburgh Students October 2, 2009 Democracy Now! 5 October 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20091005030259/http://www.democracynow.org/2009/10/2/pittsburgh_police_challenged_over_use_of 5 October 2009 live http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/thu-october-1-2009/tea-partiers-advise-g20-protesters Tea Partiers Advise G20 Protesters October 1, 2009 The Daily Show with Jon Stewart 5 October 2009 From London to Pittsburgh: assessing G20 action for developing countries, Eurodad, September 2009 Politics United States Category:2009 in economic history 2009, 09, Pittsburgh Category:2009 in the United States Category:2000s in Pittsburgh Category:2009 in international relations Category:2009 in Pennsylvania Category:September 2009 in the United States Category:Organized events in Pittsburgh Category:2009 diplomatic conferences Category:Foreign policy of the Obama administration