G-20 Summit Comes To Pittsburgh
Sep 23, 2009 6:56 pm US/Eastern
Eight Arrested After West End Bridge Demonstration
PITTSBURGH (KDKA/AP) ―
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Officials say another group of GreenPeace protestors were arrested on the Fort Pitt Bridge.
KDKA
The West End Bridge was the scene of a protest today as environmentalists hung a banner from the structure on the eve of the G-20 Summit.
According to police, several members with environmental group, GreenPeace, rappelled over the side of the bridge and unfurled their sign.
Police say it all started around 10:15 a.m. when they got a call of people trying to chain themselves to the bridge.
Authorities say instead they found the eight GreenPeace activists hanging from bridge over the Ohio River in mountain climbing gear.
"Our concern is two-fold. One, it's the safety of those who have gone over the side. They are hanging down there, it's kind of precarious, there's a lot of wind down there," said Pittsburgh police Asst. Chief William Bochter. "We're also concerned with the bridge traffic that nobody's injured, so we're talking to them now. So far, it's been very peaceful."
The group says the banner is 85 feet by 30 feet and it warns of a climate disaster. It says world leaders should reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
Pittsburgh Police were called to the scene.
The demonstration slowed traffic for a time on the bridge.
Meanwhile, on the Fort Pitt Bridge, police say they were able to intercept another group of GreenPeace protestors trying to hang a second banner.
In all, eight people were arrested. They will be charged with defiant trespass, disorderly conduct and obstructing traffic and possession an instrument of crime.
All of the charges are misdemeanors.
Stay with KDKA for the latest details.
(© 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
G-20 Summit Comes To Pittsburgh
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