News

Peaceful protests contrast with Arsenal Park demonstration

The International Burmese Monks Organization offer message of peaceful resistance Thursday on Liberty Avenue in Pittsburgh. (Dr. Laurie Miller / The Clarion Call)

Late morning protests on Liberty Avenue in Pittsburgh Thursday were a peaceful, organized contrast to the day’s later events in Arsenal Park in Lawrenceville.

Riot police ordered people off the road and sprayed tear gas to quell the unsanctioned protest to the G-20 Summit that formed in Arsenal park; security personnel read signs and listened to chants by members of Save Darfur and prayers from the International Burmese Monks Organization on Liberty Avenue.

The International Burmese Monks Organization was founded in October 2007 as a peaceful resistance movement to counter the ruling dictatorship. Carrying banners reading “Help Us Change Burma,” the group of men, women and children used the G-20 as a staging arena to present its message to world leaders and the world community.

A protester carries a sign Thursday on Liberty Avenue in Pittsburgh. (Dr. Laurie Miller / The Clarion Call)

The Save Darfur protesters were on hand to voice their concerns to the global community. The Darfur Coalition is running TV and print ads in Pittsburgh this week, targeting the heads of state of 20 of the richest countries and asking them not to forgive Sudan’s international debt, said Emily Diamond-Falk, media relations manager for the group.

“The television ad focuses on Sudan’s borrowing of billions of dollars to finance genocide and war and communities the ability of G-20 nations to make a difference by featuring people speaking in four of the top languages of the G-20 nations – English, Mandarin, Arabic and French,” she said.

The group also placed it message on billboards in the security zone near the David L. Lawrence Convention, the main site of the summit conference.