G-20 in Pittsburgh- Protests

Just wanted to give a head's up to anyone going to the G-20 protests in Pittsburgh-
I heard on NPR this morning that Philly is loaning 85 police officers to P-burgh for the G-20.

I was also at the PA Renewable Energy Festival this weekend, where I spoke with an activist with Global Exchange, who mentioned that P-burgh cops are notoriously brutal.

So... if you are going, please be extra careful, and film EVERYTHING you can. As I am sure you are aware, the mainstream media does not often give a true picture of peaceful protests.

I remember at the Biodemocracy conference a few years ago in Philly, how an older police officer had been put on duty in 90+ degree weather to deal with a parade of peaceful protestors. During a confrontation, he suffered a heart attack, and the protestors were blamed.

So, keep your wits about you and be safe.

On a related note, I have heard that Fort Lee has been "simulating a protest as part of a three-day anti-terrorism and force-protection exercise at the Army base."
Essentially, military personnel are now being trained to handle protestors as a low-level terrorist threat.
http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/local/article/FLEE02_20090901-212...
http://www.blacklistednews.com/news-5468-0-22-22--.html

Bye, bye, freedom of speech...