PGHIMC - Pittsburgh Independent Media Center

President Bush will make a brief appearance in Pittsburgh on Monday 28 July, and Pittsburgh will be ready to greet him. Many plan to join a protest within sight of the David Lawrence Convention Center, where Bush will be speaking at the Urban League conference, at about 1:15. Protestors plan to gather at noon on the sidewalk outside of the convention center on Penn Ave.

Local activists were caught by surprise with the announcement of Bush's visit, but have quickly organized a response. The Thomas Merton Center has been in contact with the Pittsburgh Police, who have said that they "do not want a repeat of what happened at Neville Island." That is in reference to a Labor Day 2002 visit by Bush to the nearby town, during which protestors were fenced off far from sight of Bush and one protestor, 65 year old Butler resident Bill Neel, was arrested for going outside of the barrier. This time, expect organizers, the protest site will be closer to what they are protesting -- and police will respect protestors' First Amendment right of assembly.

[ Protest Details ] [ Directions to David Lawrence Convention Center ] [ Conference Schedule ] [ Thomas Merton Center ]
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