PGHIMC - Pittsburgh Independent Media Center

Pittsburgh's regional reconvergence officially begins today, with feeder marches heading into Market Square from the South Side, the North Side, the Hill District, and the Strip.

Breaking News

3.56pm The march was off and has returned to Market Square, about 700 strong, to participate in a rally. Police accompanied in small numbers (6 visible officers).

2.13pm All feeder marches have arrived downtown, where there are about 500 people and still more coming. Spririts are high (no rain!) and the Carnival of Greed is festive: crowd favorites include the "Pin the Missile on the Middle East" game, and "Wheel of Ill-Fortune."

1.36pm The POG march from Penn Ave has reached Market Square. There are roughly 100 people there currently. Other marches have not yet arrived.

[ Photos | Rally March ] [ Video| Carnival of Greed] [ Audio| Feeder March Rally ] [ Post-Protest Discussion | 1]

A25 Critical Mass Bicycle Ride ends in Arrests

Over 100 bicyclists participated in April's monthly Critical Mass bike ride to reclaim the streets of Pittsburgh for bicycles. The route began at the Oakland Dinosaur (where it begins the last friday of every month) and went through Oakland, spanning the full width of Fifth Avenue. It was planned to proceed to Penn Circle before returning to the same point. The ride ended early when police officers began making arrests at Craig Street and Baum Boulevard.

Two arrests have been reported; jail solidarity is planned at the Pittsburgh Municipal Courthouse at 660 First Avenue downtown.

UPDATE (4.26.03, 11am): Four people were arrested, total. Two are out of jail (with 5 and 7 charges), but two are still waiting for arraignments in Arraignment Night Court (room 110 of the courthouse). The next two are slotted to be arraigned shortly but are not expected to actually be processed until the afternoon. Approximately 10 people are participating in jail solidarity downtown - food, water, blankets, and company are welcome!

Please publish your accounts, photographs, and legal updates to the open newswire as the story develops.

[ Breaking Report | Arrestee Report ] [ Photos: Ride | Arrests ]

The Pittsburgh 122 defendants and supporters held a brief press conference Friday morning at the Municipal Courthouse. Defendants then packed themselves into the front of the courtroom to hear legal arguments and await a decision on the status of their criminal cases stemming from arrests at an anti-war march which snaked through downtown and the South Side on March 20th. The Pittsburgh Police Department has come under increasing scrutiny due to allegations of brutality from many protesters and arrestees, as well as video footage of their aggressive actions on M20.

After discussion between attorneys for the defendants and the District Attorney's office, almost all defendants were offered a deal where their hearings would be delayed and charges dismissed if they were to complete eighty hours of community service, pay court fees, and "stay out of trouble" for ninety (90) days. Those defendants under eighteen (18) will have separate court proceedings.

Some defendants refused the deal offered, and instead chose to go to trial on their charges. While all misdemeanors were dismissed, three of the four defendants who opted to go to trial were found guilty of the summary offense of obtructing traffic, and sentenced to pay $150 fines (plus court costs) and 100 hours of community service. Indymedia became an issue as prosecutors attempted to enter postings on the site into evidence as indicating a defendant's intent to block trafficways.

One defendant was not offered the deal given to other defendants, and, at his hearing, was found to have moved a newspaper box into the street. The District Attorney and police officers attempted to portray him as one of the ringleaders of the march. He was found guilty of misdemeanor disorderly conduct and given a fine of $300. At his hearing, police admitted to targeting him and having followed him at several previous protests.

[ Detailed account | Personal Account | Press Conference Audio ]