2009 G20 PITTSBURG PROTEST
Clashes & The "Sound Cannon"
The 2009 G20 Pittsburgh protests escalated from high-profile activist stunts
The Pittsburgh G20 Resistance Project organized a direct-action march of about 500 to 2,000 people starting at Arsenal Park in the Lawrenceville neighborhood.The Escalation: Some demonstrators dressed in black anarchist attire threw rocks, rolled trash bins, and broke windows at corporate storefronts and banks.The Response: Heavily fortified riot police—flanked by armored Humvees—declared an unlawful assembly. T
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The 2009 G20 Pittsburgh protests escalated from high-profile activist stunts into a heavy military-style police crackdown, followed by a massive peaceful march.Pre-Summit Stunts (Wednesday, September 23)The Bridge Banner: Greenpeace activists kicked off the demonstrations by dangling from the West End Bridge.The Message: They unfurled an 80-by-30-foot sign reading, "Danger: Climate Destruction Ahead. Reduce CO2 Emissions Now."Outcome: Police briefly held up traffic, and eight activists surrendered peacefully and were arrested.Clashes & The "Sound Cannon" (Thursday, September 24)The Unpermitted March: The Pittsburgh G20 Resistance Project organized a direct-action march of about 500 to 2,000 people starting at Arsenal Park in the Lawrenceville neighborhood.The Escalation: Some demonstrators dressed in black anarchist attire threw rocks, rolled trash bins, and broke windows at corporate storefronts and banks.The Response: Heavily fortified riot police—flanked by armored Humvees—declared an unlawful assembly. They fired tear gas, pepper spray, and rubber-pellet bean bags.The LRAD Deployment: Police used a military-grade Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) to emit a piercing, high-pitched siren to clear the streets. It marked the first time a sonic weapon was used publicly against U.S. citizens.The University Sweep: Late into the night, running skirmishes moved to the University of Pittsburgh campus in Oakland. Police swept the area near the Cathedral of Learning, gas-bombing crowds of actual protesters mixed with curious student bystanders.Day 1 Toll: The day ended with 66 arrests, multiple injuries, and 19 damaged local businesses.The "People’s March" (Friday, September 25)Massive Peaceful Demonstration: The tone shifted dramatically on Friday when a legally permitted coalition led by the anti-war Thomas Merton Center hit the streets.Diverse Causes: Between 5,000 and 8,000 people joined the peaceful "People's March," including Iraq Veterans Against the War, environmentalists, labor unions, and human rights groups.Conclusion: Protesters marched peacefully into downtown Pittsburgh, concluding the summit with rallies on the steps of City Hall without further major violence.
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