Thursday, October 1, 2009
Update: G-20 Report Back from Rev. Bruce Wright
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Dear Friends and Supporters of the Refuge and the Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign,
Hello Everyone. It is now Monday, September 28th, 2009. It is 3 days after the last day of the G20 demonstrations and actions.
Our contingent from Florida arrived back in Florida on Saturday night. We were tired, but encouraged and excited about what happened there. For more than 5 days and encampment of the poor, the homeless, the unemployed and their supporters camped out at Monumental Baptist Church, on their grounds in of the poorest, historical African American Districts called the Hill District in Pittsburgh, PA. We participated in the March for Jobs on the 20th with more than 1000 people,including PPEHRC, the Refuge, Bail Out the People, several Unions and others. We had to opportunity to speak at this event and talk about how movements to end poverty must be informed and led by those effected by it. We had workshops on ending poverty, worker rights, unions, and global issues. We viewed several films, including "Explicit Ills", which talked about healthcare and poverty with PPEHRC and a protest as the back drop. We did a speak out on ending Police Repression, and one about Healthcare. We had a March on Mellon Bank in the middle of the day on Wednesday and managed to get serious attention and disrupt traffic. At this March, we spoke of Predatory lending, foreclosures, and the housing crisis.
We also participated in several large Marches, including a large March on Thursday that was unpermitted. The authorities claim we had only 500 people, but it was more like 3000 to 4000. It was at this event, the Police Repression was the greatest, though throughout the week the Police harassed by Flying helicopters overhead at all hours, sending Police by in their Patrol cars, randomly stopping people and asking for their ID's for no apparent reason, in one case we were visited by Secret Service. At first, we thought they were there for a funeral the Church was having, but when I discovered they were Secret Service, I went up and talked with them and took a picture of them. I got more than 80 pictures at this event this week. So, we have lots of footage. During the unpermitted march on Thursday, the Police used tear gas in a residential neighborhood effecting both protesters and residents, including children. They used tear gas on the University of Pittsburgh campus, and got both protesters and students, who were looking from their dorms. The police used high intensity sound machines, which gave me at headache, and they used rubber bullets and concussion grenades. I, as well as the group with me, were victims of tear gas. Several news reporters were hit with batons, tear gassed and hit with Police fists, including a New York Times Reporter and a CNN reporter.
At the permitted march, several thousand (at least 15,000) marched. Cheri Honkala, National Organizer with PPEHRC, spoke as did Union Organizers, Cindy Sheehan, and many others. Our march was blocked several times by a massive Police Presence and Military presence. They had helicopters, including Chenok troop carriers, Blackhawk helicopters, and Apache Attack helicopters, as well as armoured vehicles and Humvees. So, the Militarized presence was enormous. But, we were undaunted and got our messaged out of justice and peace and economic human rights. Several news organizations from the International community covered the event, including Al Jazerra, the BBC, German Television, Australian Television, and Japanese Television among others.
In closing, we believe it was a very worthwhile demonstration. We were especially pleased that the message of the poor, oppressed, unemployed and homeless were heard by those who were effected by the current economic crisis. Without your help and support, we could not have done this trip. We thank you. However, the work locally, must continue.
Our struggle for economic human rights for the poor and oppressed continues. We continue to serve and work alongside the homeless, the poor, and the unemployed. So, we need your continued support, help, and prayers.
For more info. about what happened on this trip you can go to www.economichumanrights.org.
Thank you again,
Rev. Bruce Wright
Hello Everyone. It is now Monday, September 28th, 2009. It is 3 days after the last day of the G20 demonstrations and actions.
Our contingent from Florida arrived back in Florida on Saturday night. We were tired, but encouraged and excited about what happened there. For more than 5 days and encampment of the poor, the homeless, the unemployed and their supporters camped out at Monumental Baptist Church, on their grounds in of the poorest, historical African American Districts called the Hill District in Pittsburgh, PA. We participated in the March for Jobs on the 20th with more than 1000 people,including PPEHRC, the Refuge, Bail Out the People, several Unions and others. We had to opportunity to speak at this event and talk about how movements to end poverty must be informed and led by those effected by it. We had workshops on ending poverty, worker rights, unions, and global issues. We viewed several films, including "Explicit Ills", which talked about healthcare and poverty with PPEHRC and a protest as the back drop. We did a speak out on ending Police Repression, and one about Healthcare. We had a March on Mellon Bank in the middle of the day on Wednesday and managed to get serious attention and disrupt traffic. At this March, we spoke of Predatory lending, foreclosures, and the housing crisis.
We also participated in several large Marches, including a large March on Thursday that was unpermitted. The authorities claim we had only 500 people, but it was more like 3000 to 4000. It was at this event, the Police Repression was the greatest, though throughout the week the Police harassed by Flying helicopters overhead at all hours, sending Police by in their Patrol cars, randomly stopping people and asking for their ID's for no apparent reason, in one case we were visited by Secret Service. At first, we thought they were there for a funeral the Church was having, but when I discovered they were Secret Service, I went up and talked with them and took a picture of them. I got more than 80 pictures at this event this week. So, we have lots of footage. During the unpermitted march on Thursday, the Police used tear gas in a residential neighborhood effecting both protesters and residents, including children. They used tear gas on the University of Pittsburgh campus, and got both protesters and students, who were looking from their dorms. The police used high intensity sound machines, which gave me at headache, and they used rubber bullets and concussion grenades. I, as well as the group with me, were victims of tear gas. Several news reporters were hit with batons, tear gassed and hit with Police fists, including a New York Times Reporter and a CNN reporter.
At the permitted march, several thousand (at least 15,000) marched. Cheri Honkala, National Organizer with PPEHRC, spoke as did Union Organizers, Cindy Sheehan, and many others. Our march was blocked several times by a massive Police Presence and Military presence. They had helicopters, including Chenok troop carriers, Blackhawk helicopters, and Apache Attack helicopters, as well as armoured vehicles and Humvees. So, the Militarized presence was enormous. But, we were undaunted and got our messaged out of justice and peace and economic human rights. Several news organizations from the International community covered the event, including Al Jazerra, the BBC, German Television, Australian Television, and Japanese Television among others.
In closing, we believe it was a very worthwhile demonstration. We were especially pleased that the message of the poor, oppressed, unemployed and homeless were heard by those who were effected by the current economic crisis. Without your help and support, we could not have done this trip. We thank you. However, the work locally, must continue.
Our struggle for economic human rights for the poor and oppressed continues. We continue to serve and work alongside the homeless, the poor, and the unemployed. So, we need your continued support, help, and prayers.
For more info. about what happened on this trip you can go to www.economichumanrights.org.
Thank you again,
Rev. Bruce Wright
Labels: Bail Out the People, Cheri Honkala, FL PPEHRC, G20, Pittsburgh, Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign, Refuge Ministries of Florida, Rev. Bruce Wright
Monday, September 28, 2009
G-20 Update and Photos
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"Pittsburgh Welcomes the World" was the slogan of the G-20's host city the past week and it could be seen on shirts and billboards and in the papers, but for the largest demonstration in the city since the 1970's the voices of the poor and oppressed were severely limited.
A number of delegations of the Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign (PPEHRC) descended on Pittsburgh from across the nation along with many other organizations to protest the G-20 and attempt to get issues that really matter to people on the docket. PPEHRC National Organizer Cheri Honkala brought an open letter from the Balducci Center in Italy, written to President Obama asking why in a nation as rich as the United States of America millions did not have health care and will continue to seek ways to get it into his hands. The poor can not afford not to have their voices heard at events like this, where, without making themselves seen, they are invisible and undiscussed.
A speak out on the issues of housing, jobs and health care preceded the showing of the movie Explicit Ills which deals with health care in poor people's lives. PPEHRC delegates stayed in a tent city set up on the grounds of Monumental Baptist Church, where on Friday morning leaders of the campaign gave a press conference before preparing for the peaceful people's march through downtown Pittsburgh. The march stopped on the 7th street bridge looking out at the G-20 conference uplifting their voices toward the G-20 summit before finishing their march. Shortly thereafter police arrived to disperse the marchers from the park.
Press Coverage:
Mostly the coverage is of thursday nights' demonstrations and police brutality on campuses.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/26/world/26pittsburgh.html?_r=1&ref=politics
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/valleynewsdispatch/s_645112.html
http://www.wpxi.com/news/21104013/detail.html Look at Album 3 pictures 31, 42, 59
http://kdka.com/local/g20/tent.city.protest.2.1196577.html
http://kdka.com/local/g20/hill.district.protest.2.1191673.html
A number of delegations of the Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign (PPEHRC) descended on Pittsburgh from across the nation along with many other organizations to protest the G-20 and attempt to get issues that really matter to people on the docket. PPEHRC National Organizer Cheri Honkala brought an open letter from the Balducci Center in Italy, written to President Obama asking why in a nation as rich as the United States of America millions did not have health care and will continue to seek ways to get it into his hands. The poor can not afford not to have their voices heard at events like this, where, without making themselves seen, they are invisible and undiscussed.
A speak out on the issues of housing, jobs and health care preceded the showing of the movie Explicit Ills which deals with health care in poor people's lives. PPEHRC delegates stayed in a tent city set up on the grounds of Monumental Baptist Church, where on Friday morning leaders of the campaign gave a press conference before preparing for the peaceful people's march through downtown Pittsburgh. The march stopped on the 7th street bridge looking out at the G-20 conference uplifting their voices toward the G-20 summit before finishing their march. Shortly thereafter police arrived to disperse the marchers from the park.
Press Coverage:
Mostly the coverage is of thursday nights' demonstrations and police brutality on campuses.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/26/world/26pittsburgh.html?_r=1&ref=politics
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/valleynewsdispatch/s_645112.html
http://www.wpxi.com/news/21104013/detail.html Look at Album 3 pictures 31, 42, 59
http://kdka.com/local/g20/tent.city.protest.2.1196577.html
http://kdka.com/local/g20/hill.district.protest.2.1191673.html
Labels: Balducci Center, Cheri Honkala, Explicit Ills, G20, Pittsburgh
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Thousands march without violence through Downtown
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By The Tribune-Review
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Wearing a Pirates' ballcap, Bob Ross of Lawrenceville eyed the phalanx of riot police and officers on horseback who surrounded the crowd Friday in front of the City-County Building, Downtown.
His sign said "Yinz live in a police state." He said he opposed the Group of 20 world leaders meeting at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.
"But I can't blame the G-20 for the Pirates," he said. "I blame the owners."
The big demonstration on the final day of the economic summit brought thousands of protesters with countless causes. They walked from Oakland through Downtown to the North Side in a peaceful march that ended with three arrests.
Hours later, police clashed with protesters in Oakland, where more than 60 people were arrested during violent demonstrations the night before.
Hundreds of people gathered in Schenley Park last night in a protest against what they called police brutality. It was unclear how many were protestors and how many were onlookers from the University of Pittsburgh.
Police fired at least one can of OC vapor -- similar to pepper spray -- just before 11 p.m. near the intersection of Forbes Avenue and Bigelow Boulevard to help break up the crowd.
"This is a rally against police brutality," said Tom Judd, 24, of Rhode Island. "The police were very aggressive here (Thursday)."
Judd, a member of the Students for a Democratic Society, said he's been to numerous demonstrations and protests and has never seen "as heavy of a police presence as this. But the people of Pittsburgh have been really nice."
Hundreds of police dressed in riot gear lined the park shoulder-to-shoulder and assembled along Forbes Avenue before ordering the crowd to disperse.
Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, who returned to his city hall office after spending the day with public safety officials Downtown watching the afternoon march, credited organizers for its smooth execution.
"To all the critics who suggested democracy is dead in Pittsburgh, we showed them it's not. We held onto our promise," Ravenstahl said.
Last night, city Public Safety Director Mike Huss said police arrested 83 people for G-20-related protests and estimated $50,000 worth of damage. Police attributed $20,000 of the damage to David Japenga, 20, of California, who is facing one felony and two misdemeanor charges.
Huss said all Downtown barricades and fences would be gone by tonight.
"It's been a long week and a lot of preparation, but the results are there," Huss said. "It's a proud day to be a Pittsburgher."
Police Chief Nate Harper said he would like to host another event like the G-20. "We're prepared to," he said. "Yes, if the opportunity arises."
Organizers of the People's March to the G-20 got permits for their rallies in Oakland and Downtown and attracted protesters from around the country.
"We want (German Chancellor Angela) Merkel and (President) Obama to step down and join the rest of the world in moving toward climate control," Sam Daly, 23, of Washington, D.C., said as he marched on Forbes Avenue in Oakland.
"I came here to end the war," said Sam Cross, a retired surgeon from Ford City. "I don't agree with much of what the speakers have been saying today, but I'm against the G-20, the international bankers and these wasteful wars."
Organizer Pete Shell said he was pleased "nothing major" snagged the march. During his address at the City-County Building, Shell said authorities cracked down this week on legal, peaceful demonstrations.
Yesterday's demonstration became the "People's March" only "because we fought for it," he said. Protest groups took the city to federal court before the summit to fight for march permits.
East Liberty environmental activist Casey Capitolo said that in the future, peaceful protest groups seeking permits will go to court earlier.
"We should, and we will, go to court and not to the Pittsburgh police's permit police," she said. "Next time will be different."
City leaders and police officials brought in thousands of extra officers and National Guard troops to protect the city during what federal officials dubbed a National Security Special Event.
"They had the opportunity to express their First Amendment rights and we had the opportunity to keep them safe while they did," city police Assistant Chief William Bochter said.
The march started before noon in Oakland as protesters walked to a rally outside Carlow University.
"We're dying for profits," said James Sims, 48, of Greensburg, one of dozens of members of Iraq Veterans Against the War who organized in front of Soldiers & Sailors Military Museum and Memorial. "Most Americans don't see that. Now they broke Iraq, and nobody wants to pay for it."
"I came to support our rights," said Rob Breen, 22, of the North Side, who walked with his dog, Mr. Gonzo. "This Group of 20 is meeting in secret and setting economic goals and strategies that affect us all, yet we play no role in the matter."
After hearing speakers and singers from the Raging Grannies, United Steelworkers of America and Free Tibet, marchers headed Downtown. Some in the crowd wanted more jobs for the poor. Others called for the end of war, and a few asked for the legalization of marijuana.
"Our purpose is to focus on the needs of the victims of the economic collapse," said Dee Smith, an organizer from New York City, who was among 100 people who joined the march from a rally at Freedom Corner in the Hill District. "The focus of the leaders of the G-20 has been bailing out the banks. They haven't put any money toward fixing foreclosures, joblessness or health care."
Police in riot gear lined the entire route. Downtown, sightseers snapped photos. One man yelled "Anarchist scum!" when the masked group walked by hoisting black flags.
A man who identified himself as Vermine Supreme, 50, of Baltimore shouted at police. "I know you are naked under your riot gear," he said, and then quoted passages from a military field manual about crowd control.
Some protesters chanted to police: "You're sexy. You're cute. Take off the riot suits."
Near the Macy's department store on Smithfield Street, protesters tossed fake green $100 bills inked in red -- they called it "proletarian ticker tape" -- toward shoppers.
Beverly Gaddy of Squirrel Hill marched while holding the hand of her daughter Helen Franz, 6, who wore a bandanna across her face.
"I'm well aware of the risks of having her here," Gaddy said. "We were in Lawrenceville yesterday. That's why she's wearing the bandanna today. She was told in school that police are your friends. She's scared of police now."
Speakers at the City-County Building challenged the crowd to stand up against oppression. Kate Goff, an organizer with Students for a Democratic Society, asked why students weren't "burning recruiting stations and smashing banks' windows every day until we depose institutions like the G-20."
"We have a responsibility to bury a system that's burying the people we love," Cheri Honkala, a Philadelphia activist with the People's Economic Human Rights Campaign, said in a fiery speech centered on eliminating poverty and implementing single-payer health care.
The crowd crossed the Warhol Bridge to East Park in the North Side, where activist Cindy Sheehan addressed the group.
"I was telling the cops, 'You're facing the wrong way,'" said Sheehan, an anti-war protester who gained notoriety for camping near then-President George W. Bush's Texas ranch after her son was killed in Iraq. "The wars were wrong under Bush, and they're still wrong under Obama."
A small group of people later went to the Allegheny County Jail to hold a vigil for incarcerated protesters. A jail official said eight demonstrators arrested Thursday remained in the lockup.
Vic Walczak, a lawyer with the American Civil Liberties Union, said the group provided legal observers at the protests but was not representing any of those arrested.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Wearing a Pirates' ballcap, Bob Ross of Lawrenceville eyed the phalanx of riot police and officers on horseback who surrounded the crowd Friday in front of the City-County Building, Downtown.
His sign said "Yinz live in a police state." He said he opposed the Group of 20 world leaders meeting at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.
"But I can't blame the G-20 for the Pirates," he said. "I blame the owners."
The big demonstration on the final day of the economic summit brought thousands of protesters with countless causes. They walked from Oakland through Downtown to the North Side in a peaceful march that ended with three arrests.
Hours later, police clashed with protesters in Oakland, where more than 60 people were arrested during violent demonstrations the night before.
Hundreds of people gathered in Schenley Park last night in a protest against what they called police brutality. It was unclear how many were protestors and how many were onlookers from the University of Pittsburgh.
Police fired at least one can of OC vapor -- similar to pepper spray -- just before 11 p.m. near the intersection of Forbes Avenue and Bigelow Boulevard to help break up the crowd.
"This is a rally against police brutality," said Tom Judd, 24, of Rhode Island. "The police were very aggressive here (Thursday)."
Judd, a member of the Students for a Democratic Society, said he's been to numerous demonstrations and protests and has never seen "as heavy of a police presence as this. But the people of Pittsburgh have been really nice."
Hundreds of police dressed in riot gear lined the park shoulder-to-shoulder and assembled along Forbes Avenue before ordering the crowd to disperse.
Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, who returned to his city hall office after spending the day with public safety officials Downtown watching the afternoon march, credited organizers for its smooth execution.
"To all the critics who suggested democracy is dead in Pittsburgh, we showed them it's not. We held onto our promise," Ravenstahl said.
Last night, city Public Safety Director Mike Huss said police arrested 83 people for G-20-related protests and estimated $50,000 worth of damage. Police attributed $20,000 of the damage to David Japenga, 20, of California, who is facing one felony and two misdemeanor charges.
Huss said all Downtown barricades and fences would be gone by tonight.
"It's been a long week and a lot of preparation, but the results are there," Huss said. "It's a proud day to be a Pittsburgher."
Police Chief Nate Harper said he would like to host another event like the G-20. "We're prepared to," he said. "Yes, if the opportunity arises."
Organizers of the People's March to the G-20 got permits for their rallies in Oakland and Downtown and attracted protesters from around the country.
"We want (German Chancellor Angela) Merkel and (President) Obama to step down and join the rest of the world in moving toward climate control," Sam Daly, 23, of Washington, D.C., said as he marched on Forbes Avenue in Oakland.
"I came here to end the war," said Sam Cross, a retired surgeon from Ford City. "I don't agree with much of what the speakers have been saying today, but I'm against the G-20, the international bankers and these wasteful wars."
Organizer Pete Shell said he was pleased "nothing major" snagged the march. During his address at the City-County Building, Shell said authorities cracked down this week on legal, peaceful demonstrations.
Yesterday's demonstration became the "People's March" only "because we fought for it," he said. Protest groups took the city to federal court before the summit to fight for march permits.
East Liberty environmental activist Casey Capitolo said that in the future, peaceful protest groups seeking permits will go to court earlier.
"We should, and we will, go to court and not to the Pittsburgh police's permit police," she said. "Next time will be different."
City leaders and police officials brought in thousands of extra officers and National Guard troops to protect the city during what federal officials dubbed a National Security Special Event.
"They had the opportunity to express their First Amendment rights and we had the opportunity to keep them safe while they did," city police Assistant Chief William Bochter said.
The march started before noon in Oakland as protesters walked to a rally outside Carlow University.
"We're dying for profits," said James Sims, 48, of Greensburg, one of dozens of members of Iraq Veterans Against the War who organized in front of Soldiers & Sailors Military Museum and Memorial. "Most Americans don't see that. Now they broke Iraq, and nobody wants to pay for it."
"I came to support our rights," said Rob Breen, 22, of the North Side, who walked with his dog, Mr. Gonzo. "This Group of 20 is meeting in secret and setting economic goals and strategies that affect us all, yet we play no role in the matter."
After hearing speakers and singers from the Raging Grannies, United Steelworkers of America and Free Tibet, marchers headed Downtown. Some in the crowd wanted more jobs for the poor. Others called for the end of war, and a few asked for the legalization of marijuana.
"Our purpose is to focus on the needs of the victims of the economic collapse," said Dee Smith, an organizer from New York City, who was among 100 people who joined the march from a rally at Freedom Corner in the Hill District. "The focus of the leaders of the G-20 has been bailing out the banks. They haven't put any money toward fixing foreclosures, joblessness or health care."
Police in riot gear lined the entire route. Downtown, sightseers snapped photos. One man yelled "Anarchist scum!" when the masked group walked by hoisting black flags.
A man who identified himself as Vermine Supreme, 50, of Baltimore shouted at police. "I know you are naked under your riot gear," he said, and then quoted passages from a military field manual about crowd control.
Some protesters chanted to police: "You're sexy. You're cute. Take off the riot suits."
Near the Macy's department store on Smithfield Street, protesters tossed fake green $100 bills inked in red -- they called it "proletarian ticker tape" -- toward shoppers.
Beverly Gaddy of Squirrel Hill marched while holding the hand of her daughter Helen Franz, 6, who wore a bandanna across her face.
"I'm well aware of the risks of having her here," Gaddy said. "We were in Lawrenceville yesterday. That's why she's wearing the bandanna today. She was told in school that police are your friends. She's scared of police now."
Speakers at the City-County Building challenged the crowd to stand up against oppression. Kate Goff, an organizer with Students for a Democratic Society, asked why students weren't "burning recruiting stations and smashing banks' windows every day until we depose institutions like the G-20."
"We have a responsibility to bury a system that's burying the people we love," Cheri Honkala, a Philadelphia activist with the People's Economic Human Rights Campaign, said in a fiery speech centered on eliminating poverty and implementing single-payer health care.
The crowd crossed the Warhol Bridge to East Park in the North Side, where activist Cindy Sheehan addressed the group.
"I was telling the cops, 'You're facing the wrong way,'" said Sheehan, an anti-war protester who gained notoriety for camping near then-President George W. Bush's Texas ranch after her son was killed in Iraq. "The wars were wrong under Bush, and they're still wrong under Obama."
A small group of people later went to the Allegheny County Jail to hold a vigil for incarcerated protesters. A jail official said eight demonstrators arrested Thursday remained in the lockup.
Vic Walczak, a lawyer with the American Civil Liberties Union, said the group provided legal observers at the protests but was not representing any of those arrested.
Labels: Cheri Honkala, G20
Friday, September 25, 2009
G-20 Update by Rev. Bruce Wright
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Poor and homeless members of the Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign (PPEHRC) from across the United States are participating this week in Protests during the G-20 meeting in Pittsburgh, PA, including helping to organize a national Tent City, and participating in marches for jobs and health care and against the war. Following is an update sent by Reverend Bruce Wright, from The Refuge, a PPEHRC organization in St. Petersburg, Florida.
I am writing this letter from the G20 summit demonstrations on the site of the Tent City of the dedicated to the homeless, poor, and unemployed. We are here with a group of 10 from Florida. 7 of our group are homeless and unemployed. The rest are working poor. We arrived safely on Sunday, Sept. 20th.
We have been very busy since we arrived. We participated in a March for jobs on Sunday with more then 1200 in our march. Monday and Tuesday we participated in activities at our Tent City. On Tuesday, we participated in 2 marches on Tuesday. One march was for an end to Police Repression and harassment both at the G20 and also throughout our communities. There were testimonies of Police harassment at this event describing being detained for no reason, raiding people's camp sites, invasive Police presence in neighborhoods (shinning lights in people's homes at night, Police dogs barking, etc.), and in one case 45 Police in Riot gear attacking a community farm and destroying gardens that had vegetables that were used to feed the demonstrators. And, in one case a group was detained trying to come to our camp site with Bail Out People.
In addition, to this protest, Bail Out People and the PPEHRC organized a march and demonstration on Mellon Bank, one of the largest banks in Pennsylvania. It was known for predatory lending and foreclosures. We had several people from our group speak at this demonstration and the march on Sunday and participate in a press conference, including myself. Today, is going to be a full day of teach-ins, demos, and film showings.
We expect Police repression to intensify. There are 2000 National Guard troops here, as well as armored vehicles and several Blackhawk and Apache helicopters here. You can, at times, feel the tension. It seem crazy to have such overkill in a Militarized presence. It is being locked down like a Police state.
In closing, please expect more updates. For more information see www.refugestpete.org or www.economichumanrights.org. Poor and homeless families from PPEHRC from other parts of the U.S. will be joining us tomorrow.
Thank you,
Rev. Bruce Wright
The Refuge, St. Petersburg, Florida Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign (PPEHRC)
Labels: FL PPEHRC, G20, Pittsburgh, Refuge Ministries of Florida, Rev. Bruce Wright
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