Restrictions anger G-20 protest planners

Several environmental and peace organizations had hoped to use the state-owned park from Sept. 20-25 to voice dissent against policies of government and finance leaders from the 19 nations and European Union who will meet here.

Representatives from dozens of other local and national organizations have scheduled a larger session this evening at East Liberty Presbyterian Church to discuss city and federal decisions they fear are designed to squelch free speech and assembly, not boost security.

"The whole atmosphere has really changed," said Francine Porter, a Code Pink organizer who petitioned officials to allow a tent city near the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Downtown, the summit headquarters. The tent city would highlight the plight of war refugees.

"We provided our permits to the city early, to give them plenty of time to look them over. I'm not willing to keep filling out this permit, then that permit, as they deny them. The Point belongs to the people. It does not belong to the G-20. Everyone knows that we're a nonviolent group, so why are they trying to deny our right to assemble?"

On Friday, Code Pink, Iraq Veterans Against the War and environmental groups learned that a permit they filed alongside one filed by state Sen. Jim Ferlo, D-Lawrenceville, would be denied. The city has tentatively nixed part of a Sept. 25 protest march from Oakland to several Downtown destinations until the Secret Service sets up security perimeters.

"We had to tell them that we couldn't approve or deny their request because we don't know all the security details yet," said Assistant City Solicitor Yvonne Hilton. "But we want groups to have the ability to exercise their First Amendment rights on our streets and sidewalks all the time, not just during the G-20."

Ferlo said the city hasn't been cooperative.

"Point State Park was big enough and would've been a safe venue for everyone, the place where we could have a peaceable assembly during the G-20," Ferlo said. "What we're seeing is the de facto declaration of martial law Downtown during the G-20, and the city seems to be categorically acquiescing to federal demands for that."

The Secret Service denies the charge. Special Agent Darrin Blackford, an agency spokesman, said the agency and local officials are discussing security perimeters designed to balance the public's constitutional right to protest with the needs of protecting international dignitaries. Blackford said the 21 joint subcommittees are discussing their possible additions to a larger security blueprint. He believes a plan will be issued in time for demonstrators to organize participants.

"I think people need to realize just how much work goes into something like this," said Blackford, who said the Secret Service didn't begin its efforts until June 23.

Ferlo said he asked several attorneys, including the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania, to file a federal lawsuit to force authorities to allow Downtown demonstrations.