Peaceful G20 Protest Held in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh Organizing Group, a local anarchist group, arranged the protest, dubbed “Financial Fools’ Day,” which took place April 1. Members and supporters of POG gathered in Market Square at 4 p.m. before marching around downtown, stopping at several banks and government offices.

The event started with speeches in Market Square.

“Capitalism is dead and we are here to bury it,” a member of POG announced during a speech.

After the speakers finished, the group of about 30 people marched through downtown, stopping at various financial institutions such as PNC Bank and the Bank of New York Mellon. Outside the bank, security guards and police officers stood watch.

“Everyone is allowed to say what they want,” Sergeant Charles Henderson said. “As long as no one gets violent, we’re happy.”

Proceeding down Liberty Avenue, members of the group handed out fliers and spoke to people waiting at bus stops and walking down the street. The public was largely unengaged with the protest, though many accepted fliers and there were a few hecklers.

“Join us!” a marcher yelled to pedestrians.

“For 10 dollars!” someone replied.

As the march continued down Grant Street, a man across the street from the protesters began booing.

Throughout the march, protesters continually called out to people exiting banks, “Take off your business clothes.”

Financial Fools’ Day was held to “oppose the G20 and any system that puts profit ahead of the planet and people,” according to POG’s Web site.

“We’re here to express outrage and call attention to those who are responsible for the economic crisis,” Lydia Redman, member of POG and Financial Fools’ Day organizer, said.

“G20 represents 20 powerful nations who make financial decisions for the whole world,” Redman said. “These decisions are often very oppressive.”

The summit was not the only target for the protest. Members also condemned the International Monetary Fund and current worldwide economic policy in general.

“We have been subjected to neo-liberal economic policies which have had a devastating impact on lives and communities,” Robin Alexander, Director of International Labor Affairs for the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America said.

Neoliberal economic policy calls for a system “characterized by strong private property rights, free markets and free trade,” according to David Harvey’s “A Brief history of Neoliberalism.”

Some do not agree that the free market is capable of sustaining itself, however. Alexander, for one, said that banks ought to face stronger government restrictions on their activities.

“The deregulation of banks is what permitted this crisis, which led to the bailout. This is a huge transfer of wealth from taxpayers to banks,” Alexander said.

After assembling outside several of these banks and airing their grievances, the protesters returned to Market Square before dispersing.

The event was peaceful and there were no arrests.

“It has been very orderly,” Sergeant Mike Laporte said. “But they don’t have a permit and are blocking a sidewalk so we may have to issue a few citations.”