2009 G-20 Pittsburgh summit

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G-20 Leaders' Summit on Financial Markets and the World Economy
Logo Pittsburgh summit.jpg
Information
Date September 24–25, 2009
Location David L. Lawrence Convention Center
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
United States
Participants G-20 + Spain, the Netherlands, NEPAD, ASEAN, the UN, the World Bank, the IMF, the WTO, APEC, and the FSF.

The G20 summit took place at Pittsburgh's David L. Lawrence Convention Center on September 24–25, 2009.[1] Announced shortly after the April 2009 G-20 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. However, due to coordination issues, on May 28, 2009, the Obama Administration announced a change of venue to Pittsburgh in order to highlight the city's economic recovery following the collapse of its manufacturing sector in 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.

Amongst the issues discussed was a proposal to radically reform the International Monetary Fund.[2] French President Nicolas Sarkozy also suggested that there would be an evaluation of measures already taken.[3]

The primary venue of the summit was the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, which was at one point the largest LEED certified building in the world.[4] 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.[5] Other venues to be 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.[5]

Direct Energy Business, a retail energy supplier headquartered in Pittsburgh, greened the electricity usage of the city of Pittsburgh for both days of the G-20 Summit by securing Renewable Energy Certificates, or RECs.[6]

Contents

[edit] 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 NHL 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.[7]

[edit] Security

Riot police exit a city bus in the Oakland neighborhood on September 24.

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.[8]

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.[9]

[edit] The summit

Leaders of the G-20 countries present at the Pittsburgh Summit.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh talks with American President Barack Obama during the Pittsburgh summit at the Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens.

G-20 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.[10]

The Summit proper began on the morning of September 25 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, downtown.

[edit] Leaders in attendance

States

N.B. Countries with a * are not recognized members of the G-20.[11]

Regional organizations
International organizations

[edit] Protests

Protesters in the Lawrenceville neighborhood of Pittsburgh on September 24.

Participants in the protests surrounding the summit included peace, environmental, labor and social justice organizations.[12] Alternate events included a Peoples' Summit at the beginning of the week leading up the summit, followed by 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.[13]

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.[14] While traffic was held up for a period, the eight activists surrendered peacefully.

On Thursday, September 24, the Pittsburgh G-20 Resistance Project held a march and a day of direct action at Arsenal Park in Lawrenceville. Police fired OC spray at a crowd of an estimated 500 demonstrators to disperse a protest march a few hours before the start of the Summit.[15][16] Police also used a sound cannon against the protesters, believed by city officials as the first time the cannon had been used on protesters within the United States.[15] Some protesters were also met with counter demonstrations chanting "Let's Go Steelers!"[17]

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. An initially quiet gathering quickly escalated and turned violent after 9:00 PM EDT. Hundreds of police encircled the crowd, which spilled over onto Forbes Avenue and Bigelow Boulevard near the Cathedral of Learning.[18] An estimated 300 riot police lined the sidewalk behind the William Pitt Union, with 200 more officers blocking Forbes Avenue nearby to contain the rioters. 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 OC spray into the crowd. Nearby businesses along Forbes Avenue and Craig Street were also vandalized after the police attempted to break up the demonstration.[16] The University of Pittsburgh alerted students via text message that, "Conditions may be deteriorating in Oakland. Students are advised to remain near their residences."[18]

The Pittsburgh G-20 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 Oakland. There was also a small gathering of protesters at a Starbucks Coffee on Centre Avenue in East Liberty as well.[19]

By the end of the day Friday, police estimated that about 4,500 people participated in protests throughout the city, with 190 arrests being made.[20] Approximately $50,000 worth of damage was caused to area businesses, with $20,000 worth being attributed to one individual, David Japenga of California, accused of breaking 20 windows and doors in Oakland on Thursday night.[21]

[edit] 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 G-20 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 G-8.[17]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Pittsburgh To Host Next G20 Summit". KDKA. May 28, 2009. http://kdka.com/politics/G20.summit.Pittsburgh.2.1022570.html. Retrieved August 6, 2009. 
  2. ^ Morris, Nigel; Grice, Andrew (April 4, 2009). "Brown's assignment for next G20 meeting: a blueprint for IMF reform". The Independent. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/browns-assignment-for-next-g20-meeting-a-blueprint-for-imf-reform-1662232.html. Retrieved August 6, 2009. 
  3. ^ "New G20 summit in September in New York: Sarkozy". Economic Times. April 3, 2009. http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/International-Business/New-G20-summit-in-September-in-New-York-Sarkozy/articleshow/4352506.cms. Retrieved August 6, 2009. 
  4. ^ "David L. Lawrence Convention Center.". David L. Lawrence Convention Center. http://www.pittsburghcc.com/cc/. Retrieved September 25, 2009. 
  5. ^ a b "White House chooses G20 venues around Pittsburgh". Pittsburgh Business Times. August 3, 2009. http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/stories/2009/08/03/daily2.html. Retrieved August 6, 2009. 
  6. ^ "It’s official: Direct Energy Business is “greening up” the city of Pittsburgh for the G-20 Summit.". http://www.directenergybusiness.com/greenG20.php. Retrieved July 1, 2009. 
  7. ^ Mandak, Joe (July 30, 2009). "G-20 police planning a puzzle for Pittsburgh chief". Associated Press. http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hUOiCuqnno7rA5O4JKyPRr3wQ_twD99OTAV00. Retrieved August 6, 2009. 
  8. ^ Sherman, Jerome L.; Lord, Rich. (August 26, 2009). "1,000 state police on the way for G-20 summit.". Pittsburgh Post Gazette. http://www.webcitation.org/5jc5QRpB4. Retrieved September 22, 2009. 
  9. ^ Acton, Robin (September 24, 2009). "Public urged not to worry at sight of helicopters, gunboats, Humvees". Tribune-Review. http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_644620.html. Retrieved September 25, 2009. 
  10. ^ Carpenter, Mackenzie (September 25, 2009). "Smiling in the rain, Obamas host gala at Phipps.". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09268/1000718-482.stm. Retrieved September 25, 2009. 
  11. ^ "About G-20". www.g20.org. http://www.g20.org/about_what_is_g20.aspx. Retrieved September 25, 2009. 
  12. ^ "Action at the G-20 Summit". Thomas Merton Center. http://www.thomasmertoncenter.org/g20action.htm. 
  13. ^ Prine, Carl (August 27, 2009). "Groups organize alternative in Oakland to economic summit". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_640277.html. Retrieved September 22, 2009. 
  14. ^ "Eight Arrested After West End Bridge Demonstration.". KDKA-TV. September 23, 2009. Archived from the original on 2009-09-26. http://www.webcitation.org/5k5c4lOiz. Retrieved September 25, 2009. 
  15. ^ a b Urbina, Ian (September 24, 2009). "Protesters Are Met by Tear Gas at G-20 Conference.". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/25/us/25pittsburgh.html. Retrieved September 25, 2009. 
  16. ^ a b Roddy, Dennis B. (September 25, 2009). "Protesters clash with police throughout day, night.". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09268/1000737-482.stm. Retrieved September 25, 2009. 
  17. ^ a b "Officials: G-20 to supplant G-8 as international economic council". CNN. September 24, 2009. http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/09/24/us.g.twenty.summit/. Retrieved September 25, 2009. 
  18. ^ a b Balingit, Moriah; Nereim, Vivian (September 26, 2009). "40 arrested in clash with police in Oakland". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09269/1001054-100.stm?cmpid=latest.xml. Retrieved September 26, 2009. 
  19. ^ "Oakland Protesters Hula; No Large Actions On G-20 'Everywhere Protest'.". WTAE-TV. September 25, 2009. http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/21113974/detail.html. Retrieved September 25, 2009. 
  20. ^ "Groups upset over G-20 arrests plan rally.". The Philadelphia Inquirer. October 1, 2009. http://www.philly.com/philly/wires/ap/news/state/pennsylvania/20091001_ap_groupsupsetoverg20arrestsplanrally.html. Retrieved October 2, 2009. 
  21. ^ "G-20 Protester Causes $20,000 In Damages". WTAE-TV. September 25, 2009. http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/g20/21121306/detail.html. Retrieved September 26, 2009. 

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