who else will be leaving G-20 weekend??? (Pittsburgh, Bloomfield: neighborhood, airport)

[WILWRadio]

BMSF. But the question remains, will the G-20 participants actually like being housed in a jail? :-)

I presume they are planning for mass riots by protesters and want to make their stay as comfortable as possible. That makes perfect sense. Releasing real criminals out into the streets in order to make room for the protesters in the local jails is brilliant. (denote the tone of sarcasm). You should talk your husband and kids to take the trip to Philly with you. This has all the ingredients for a disaster in the making!

[JoeLeaphorn]

Originally Posted by IheartRobots

I remember being in London when one of these things were going on in 2006 and there were 500,000 protesters.

Huh? There were a number of demonstrations ranging from a few hundred people to an estimated 35,000 at the Put People First demonstration, but nowhere do I see a figure of 500,000. And the demonstrations were not all simultaneous so some of the protesters likely participated in more than one rally.

The final arrest toll was put at 122 by London police.

[JoeLeaphorn]

Originally Posted by WILWRadio

Releasing real criminals out into the streets in order to make room for the protesters in the local jails is brilliant. (denote the tone of sarcasm).

Agreed 100%. London had 122 arrests and most of these, for disorderly conduct, we're released within 24 hours. If there are people in jail who are less of a threat than a protester, what the heck are they doing in jail?

Why not re-open Western Pennitentiary for a few days, instead?

[BMSF]

My husband has to work. As per my kids, I want them to come to Philly, but, mommy being gone for a few days to them, is like a vacation. If you know what I mean. Dad serving soda and potato chips for breakfast, making Mcdonald's for diner and allowing the laundry over flow. PRICELESS!

[ajl777]

I have to work in Cranberry instead of downtown. I'm pissed.

[JoeLeaphorn]

Originally Posted by ajl777

I have to work in Cranberry instead of downtown. I'm pissed.

Huh? You are luckier than the many who work downtown who have been told that if they don't show up, they'll need to take vacation or sick days.

[bboy36win]

Originally Posted by IheartRobots

I don't know why many pittsburghers are thinking that is a good thing. Other than for international attention, moving from one part of the city to another will be a complete nightmare.

Am I the only one surprised by this thought? Since the G-20 will snarl traffic, it is suddenly a bad idea???

I'm thinking this is incredibly short-sighted. What do you think?

[ajl777]

Basically I can do my job anywhere as long as I have an internet connection and a phone. Most of my coworkers will be allowed to work from home. I would prefer to work from home as I live in Bloomfield and I'm pretty sure my main route to Cranberry would be closed off due to being in the radius of the convention center so I'd probably have to backtrack to the turnpike. Also I will have to drive so will spend money on gas, toll, and not use my bus pass for a week.

[ryanswindle]

The things Pittsburgh will be doing during the G-20 will not be the sorts that you want a spotlight shined on. Almost everyone here wishes the G-20 wasn't coming here, and is in quite distinct political opposition with it, and the governments in it, ours included.

Protests are definitely an American tradition, a great one at that. Though I'll be seriously impressed if the Pittsburgh protests don't turn into more than protests... After the footage of Pittsburghers during the G-20, nobody's going to want to come here.

[Sideblinded]

We are going to grill out in the backyard and hope all goes well.