G-20 Summit Comes To Pittsburgh
Sep 25, 2009 5:10 pm US/Eastern
People's March Remains Peaceful In Downtown
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ―
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One group of G-20 protestors in the "People's March" brought along this large white dove to carry through the city.
HBO
Thousands of people representing a variety of causes participated in the People's March that started in Oakland and traveled into downtown Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh Police estimate between 4,200 and 4,500 took part in the march.
Organizers were determined to keep it peaceful.
It was a melting pot of different groups representing different causes.
"To get out of Afghanistan, right now," one marcher told KDKA-TV.
"I want the government to be able to offer single-payer health care for all people," added another marcher.
"We're for peace, but we're for a lot of other things - the environment and help for poor people," a parade participant said.
The anarchists, wearing all black, also joined the march. They led an unauthorized march in Lawrenceville Thursday afternoon that led to damage at local businesses in several neighborhoods, including Bloomfield and Shadyside.
The organizers of the People's March said they had an agreement with the anarchists to keep it peaceful.
"Our intention is to always be non-violent," an anarchist told KDKA-TV. "It's the police with the opposite view."
When the marchers arrived in downtown, they rallied at the City County Building on Grant Street without incident.
"So far, so good. This has been a very well-behaved crowd," Pittsburgh Police Assistant Chief William Bochter said. "They've been enthusiastic but absolutely non-violent to this point. We're very grateful for that and we hope that continues."
The march ended on the North Side.
In all, officials say more than 80 people were arrested during the summit.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
G-20 Summit Comes To Pittsburgh
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