Numerous protest groups are fighting for their first amendment right to come together in Pittsburgh's downtown Point State Park before the upcoming Group of 20 meeting.
However, these anti-war demonstrators continue to aggressively pursue their right assemble at the summit before 20 of the world's largest and emerging economical leaders.
After suing the State and Federal government, the City allocated additional permits for groups to march in city parks. Judge Lancaster allowed the women's group CodePink to hold a tent city protest at Point State Park regardless of the City's attempt at shooting down the proposal.
The city pushed for the rejection of the group because their protest would encroach upon a run being held in the park as well as a free-speech festival organized by a group supported by former Vice President Al Gore.
Even though Judge Lancaster sided with rallying groups to preserve first amendment freedoms, he denied other protestors for safety and logistical reasons. A request from the Thomas Merton Center to hold a rally on the Seventh Street Bridge was denied because having 5,000-7,000 people on the bridge was deemed unsafe.
In addition, Lancaster denied a request by the 3 Rivers Climate Convergence to camp out all week in a city park because it would foster living accommodation for G-20 protestors who had nowhere else to go. Furthermore, it would immensely inconvenience the city to put together a large clean up effort after the campers vacated the area.
Many of the denied groups remain persistent in their effort to express themselves by furthering discussions with the City.
