Hello All,

The G20 Summit is happening this weekend in Pittsburgh. It is a meeting of the 20 wealthiest nations to discuss world economic issues. Not surprisingly, this year's topics include climate change and how to strengthen the world's economy.

Here is a link to the wikipedia entry for background: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G-20_major_economies

G20 (and G-8) has been a site of protest and will attract activists from all over the world and from many different groups. Most are there to peacefully assemble (a first Amendment Right).

"The protesters' messages were as diverse as the places they called home. A social worker from South Korea wore a T-shirt advocating better wages and working conditions for factory workers. Two teachers from Mexico City talked earnestly about their concerns over unemployment rates and growing violence at the U.S. border."

from an article from the LA Times: http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-g20side25-2009sep25,0,312578.story

The media is painting all the protesters at the g20 as crazy, window-breaking anarchists.

This is not the case. My friend, Galen, (who some of you may know) is a gracious person who is there to take part in protests for environmental action. There are lots of groups: anti-war, anti-poverty, anti-corporations, etc. They are there to peacefully protest and NOT break windows.

There are clear violations of civil rights going on. The right to assemble peacefully is not being upheld. Free speech is not being upheld. I am asking that you read and view a few of these videos to simply be informed of the situation and have a clearer view of what's going on.

Galen's blog

http://g20pittsburgh.blogspot.com/

Galen's latest post is about being pepper sprayed while going out for pizza:

http://g20pittsburgh.blogspot.com/2009/09/tear-gas-at-pizza-shop.html

Here is a video of a college dorm being tear gassed:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=787e3cpbGQU

and here is a link to the twitter feed coming out of the g20:

http://twitter.com/#search?q=G20%20OR%20%23g20

Thank you, friends, for your time. If you wish spread these links around.

Jon