Mood:  bright

Crap Detection 101

"Every man should have a built-in automatic crap detector operating inside him."
Ernest Hemingway, 1954

Unless a great many people learn the basics of online crap detection and begin applying their critical faculties en masse and very soon, I fear for the future of the Internet as a useful source of credible news, medical advice, financial information, educational resources, scholarly and scientific research. Some critics argue that a tsunami of hogwash has already rendered the Web useless. I disagree. We are indeed inundated by online noise pollution, but the problem is soluble. The good stuff is out there if you know how to find and verify it. Basic information literacy, widely distributed, is the best protection for the knowledge commons: A sufficient portion of critical consumers among the online population can become a strong defense against the noise-death of the Internet.

The first thing we all need to know about information online is how to detect crap, a technical term I use for information tainted by ignorance, inept communication, or deliberate deception. Learning to be a critical consumer of Webinfo is not rocket science. It's not even algebra. Becoming acquainted with the fundamentals of web credibility testing is easier than learning the multiplication tables. The hard part, as always, is the exercise of flabby think-for-yourself muscles.

The issue of info pollution has been on my mind since at least 1994, when I wrote "The Tragedy of the Electronic Commons" about the infamous Canter and Siegel - the first Internet spammers. A few years later, I personally confronted the importance of teaching information literacy to 14 year olds when I watched my daughter come of age at the same time online search engines became available. I sat down in front of the circa-1999 computer with my daughter and explained that most of the books she could get from the library could be counted on to be factually accurate. But when you enter words into a search engine, there is no guarantee that your search will lead you to accurate information. "You have to do some investigation before you accept anything you find online," I warned her.

"Ask a few questions and use available tools to see if you can find answers," is what I told her when she asked me how to go about investigating.

Today, just as it was back then, "Who is the author?" is the root question. If you don't find one, turn your skepticism meter to the top of the dial. And use easywhois.com to find out who owns the site if there is no author listed. If the author provides a way to ask questions, communicate, or add comments, turn up the credibility meter and dial back the skepticism. When you identify an author, search on the author's name in order to evaluate what others think of the author - and don't turn off your critical stance when you assess reputation. Who are these other people whose opinions you are trusting? Is the site a .gov or .edu? If so, turn up the credibility a notch. If it helps, envision actual meters and dials in your mind's eye - or a thermometer or speedometer. Take the website's design into account - professional design should not be seen as a certain indicator of accurate content, but visibly amateurish design is sometimes an indicator that the "Institute of Such-and-Such" might be an obsessive loner.

More good questions to use as credibility probes: Does the author provide sources for factual claims, and what happens when you search on the names of the authors of those sources? Have others linked to this page, and if so, who are they (use the search term "link: http://..." and Google shows you every link to a specified page). See if the source has been bookmarked on a social bookmarking service like Delicious or Diigo; although it shouldn't be treated as a completely trustworthy measurement, the number of people who bookmark a source can furnish clues to its credibility. All the mechanics of doing this kind of checking take only a few seconds of clicking, copying and pasting, searching, and judging for yourself. Again, the part that requires the most work is learning to do your own judging.

You aren't paranoid if you suspect that some sites might even deliberately try to deceive you. Some sites insidiously cloak their real bias, for example. I use martinlutherking.org as an example with my students today - it's not owned by admirers of the late civil rights leader, but you wouldn't know that at first glance. Another, less sinister but equally sobering teaching story: "The parody site Gatt.org once duped the Center for International Legal Studies into believing it was the Web site of the World Trade Organization. Accordingly, a few years ago, the association arranged for someone from the parody site to speak at its annual conference. The speaker - an imposter from an activist group known as the Yes Men - offended several attendees with racist remarks. A staged pie-throwing incident followed the presentation, and the fiasco later culminated in the faked death of the speaker/imposter." A good question to ask yourself, particularly when a website asks you to download something to your own computer, is "might somebody be trying to put one over on me?"

When I began teaching my daughter how to evaluate the credibility of web pages, I started collecting rules of thumb, strategies, tools - especially free and easy to use ones - for sorting the goodinfo from the badinfo. Fortunately, tools are far more powerful today than they were a decade ago; the bad news is that too many people don't know about them. In recent years, as so many more people have started to rely on the web for such vitally important forms of information as news, medical information, scholarly research, investment advice, the lack of general education in critical consumption of information found online is turning into a public danger. No, Bill Gates won't send you $5 for forwarding this chain e-mail, the medical advice you get in a chat room isn't necessarily better than what your doctor tells you, and the widow of the deceased African dictator is definitely not going to transfer millions of dollars to your bank account. That scurrilous rumor about the political candidate that never makes the mainstream media but circulates as email and blog posts probably isn't true. The data you are pasting into your memo or term paper may well be totally fabricated.

Use the following methods and tools to protect yourself from toxic badinfo. Use them, pass them along to others. Promote the notion that more info-literacy is a practical answer to growing info-pollution.

Although the Web undermines authority, the usefulness of authority as another clue to credibility hasn't entirely disappeared. I would add credibility points if a source is a verified professor at a known institution of higher learning, an authentic M.D. or Ph.D., but I wouldn't subtract points from uncredentialed people whose expertise seems authentic. Nor would I stop at simply verifying that the claim to be a professor is valid. The next step: use the scholarly productivity index that derives a score from the scholar's publications, citations by other scholars, grants, honors, and awards. If you want to get even more serious, download a free copy of Publish or Perish software, which analyzes scientific citations from Google Scholar according to multiple criteria. Again, don't trust just one source. Triangulate.

I got good strategy advice from John McManus, author of "Detecting Bull: How to Identify Bias and Junk Journalism in Print, Broadcast and on the Wild Web", who told me "you have think like a detective." Think of tools like search engines, the productivity index, hoax debunking sites like Snopes.com, and others I will mention later as forensic instruments, like Sherlock Holmes' magnifying glass or the crime scene investigator's fingerprint kit. The tools are only useful as the means to sleuthing out a mystery. In the case of people who stake their health on online medical information from a virtual community, their economic well-being on online financial information, their political liberty on the news they get from Twitter, blogs, or YouTube, the stakes in this detective game are high. Triangulation is what detectives do - try to find three different ways to test a source's credibility. For example, you could Google the author's name, enter the author's name in the scholarly productivity index, and use the literacy resources at factchecked.org to triangulate a source. (Factchecked.org's sister site, Factcheck.org researches claims from all political factions.)

Know how to use online filters. As more people get their news online, and more people at the site of newsworthy events have Web-linked cameras and video cameras, we'll see more situations like the 250,000 "tweets" per hour that passed through Twitter during the Iranian political demonstrations of June, 2009. Before Twitter came on the scene, online services like Flickr and YouTube enabled users to "tag" photographs and video with key words, making it possible to search for images tagged with those key words, revealing all the still images and videos coming in from amateur chroniclers during an event. The San Diego Union-Tribune called publicly for citizen reporters to use the same tags for their images of the 2007 wildfire. Using the search facility on Flickr or YouTube enables you to see a stream of images or videos, and automatically subscribing to that search through "RSS" means you can continue to see visual reports stream in as others upload them - in real time. At the height of the Iran demonstrations, CNN was displaying videos posted to YouTube, alerted via Twitter. Quite properly, CNN introduced the images with the disclaimer that they were as-yet unverified. As Clay Shirky has noted, we're in the age of "publish, then filter."

Again, it's up to the consumer of the information to decide which images, videos, tweets are authentic. As always happens when there is a high demand for separating signal from noise, people began to put together filters for doing that - and human tools for sorting the more trustworthy information. After the terrorist attacks in Mumbai provided both noteworthy on-the-scene reports and outright rumors, some experts started talking about "crowdsourcing the filter" by growing populations of trusted editors who would collectively identify the good stuff. Although they did not start as a filter for fast-breaking news, American Public Media's Public Insight Network is moving in the direction of a crowdsourced filter.

When the Iran demonstrations happened, people in Iran and around the world used the Twitter equivalent of a Flickr or YouTube tag, a now-famous "hashtag" - #iranelection - and for a few days flooded the world with riveting images that will probably win Pulitzers, along with shocking and politically inflammatory videos, torrents of contradictory reports, bogus rumors, apparent disinformation, both informed and ignorant political arguments and, as always, spam, porn, and porn spam. As the Iran events unfolded, Marc Ambinder wrote an astute article in The Atlantic.com, "Follow the developments in Iran like a CIA analyst." Just as thinking like a detective is a strategy for trying to determine the credibility of webinfo, thinking like an intelligence analyst is a strategy for trying to gauge the credibility of online reports about breaking news events. Ambinder recommends watching for disinformation, looking for patterns in the geographic location of sources (but warns against assuming that everything that resembles a pattern really is one), examining your assumptions and looking for sources that contradict them.

Twitter Journalism ("Where News and Tweets Converge"), published a series of steps to take to verify a tweet, including, among many other tips, checking the history of past tweets by a person to see what context you might find before the claim about a news event was tweeted, checking the bio of twitterer who makes a claim, being wary of news tweets from someone with very few previous tweets or who joined very recently, use Twitter's reply feature to engage the twitterer directly. I've been collecting links for journalism students who want to understand the journalistic requirements of good Twitter practice from the production side.

The biases of trusted sources like newspapers and television need to be examined critically, as well as those that come in from what are increasingly called "social media." Questioning Video is all about understanding the vocabulary of visual deception that can be used to distort television news. Newstrust is trying to crowdsource the filter for mainstream as well as alternative news sources by growing a bipartisan virtual community of critical news filterers who use the same set of criteria for evaluating whether a news story exhibits bias, makes factual claims that can or cannot be verified, presents more than one interpretation of events. Fairspin's community votes on stories in order for the community's aggregate judgements to identify opinion disguised as fact and reflect the degree of political bias detected in stories from both the left and right. And on the cutting edge of community-based filtering tools, Intel labs' Dispute Finder Firefox Extension "highlights disputed claims on web pages you browse and shows you evidence for alternative points of view."

The good news about the pace of medical research is also the bad news - few medical specialists can keep up with the rate of new discoveries. That means that it's possible for the collective intelligence of a committed community - and there is nothing as committed as people who are suffering from a disease - to stay ahead of all but those most dedicated individual specialists. However, along with the latest word on cutting-edge drug trials are unsubstantiated claims, rumors, outright quackery. When it comes to medical information, just as when it comes to information that affects political liberty, believing or forwarding badinfo can be unhealthy or fatal. Again, the critical consumer of online medical advice has a number of triangulation tools at hand. For scientific articles, Science Direct has guest access. The Health on the Net Foundation has been a steady source of finding reliable/credible health information online. They even have a browser plug-in that enables you to check health information on any website against HON's database. An astute medical student wrote a guide to how to check quality of medical information online. How much work is it to check three links before believing or passing along health information you find online? Simply Googling the name of the Dr. who tried to sell do-it-yourself eye surgery kits, for example, immediately raises questions for those who are considering aiming lasers at their own retinas.

To me, the issue of information literacy could be even more important than the health or education of some individuals. Fundamental aspects of democracy, economic production, the discovery and use of knowledge might be at stake. Some of the biggest problems facing the world today seem to be far beyond the ability of any individual or community, or even the whole human race, to tackle. But the noise death of the Internet is something we can take on and win. Although large forces are at work, when it comes to the shape of online media, I believe that what people know - and how many people know - matters. Digital media and networked publics are only the infrastructure for participation - the cables and chips do no good unless people know how to use them. The collision of newly participative populations with authoritarian control is taking place every day in Teheran and Beijing, Berlin and Washington, D.C. Nobody knows how this clash will play out, but the one cost-effective measure that the participative have in their contest with central control is know-how. And the lack of know-how among the population is an asset to those who seek to put the lid back on their - our - power of expression.

 

Resources:

(Please suggest resources in comments, and I will add them below as I receive, find, and vet them)

Posted by Joe Anybody at 12:01 AM PDT

Updated: Wednesday, 30 September 2009 9:24 AM PDT

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Mood:  irritated

Street Report from the G20

By Bill Quigley

Bill Quigley’s ZSpace Page—Sep 26, 2009

 http://www.zcommunications.org/zspace/commentaries/3995

The G20 in Pittsburgh showed us how pitifully fearful our leaders have become.

What no terrorist could do to us, our own leaders did.

Out of fear of the possibility of a terrorist attack, authorities militarized our towns, scared our people away, stopped daily life and quashed our constitutional rights.

For days, downtown Pittsburgh, home to the G20, was turned into a militarized people-free ghost town. Sirens screamed day and night. Helicopters crisscrossed the skies. Gunboats sat in the rivers. The skies were defended by Air Force jets. Streets were barricaded by huge cement blocks and fencing. Bridges were closed with National Guard across the entrances. Public transportation was stopped downtown. Amtrak train service was suspended for days.

In many areas, there were armed police every 100 feet. Businesses closed. Schools closed. Tens of thousands were unable to work.

Four thousand police were on duty plus 2500 National Guard plus Coast Guard and Air Force and dozens of other security agencies. A thousand volunteers from other police forces were sworn in to help out.

Police were dressed in battle gear, bulky black ninja turtle outfits - helmets with clear visors, strapped on body armor, shin guards, big boots, batons, and long guns.

In addition to helicopters, the police had hundreds of cars and motorcycles , armored vehicles, monster trucks, small electric go-karts. There were even passenger vans screaming through town so stuffed with heavily armed ninja turtles that the side and rear doors remained open.

No terrorists showed up at the G20.

Since no terrorists showed up, those in charge of the heavily armed security forces chose to deploy their forces around those who were protesting.

Not everyone is delighted that 20 countries control 80% of the world's resources. Several thousand of them chose to express their displeasure by protesting.

Unfortunately, the officials in charge thought that it was more important to create a militarized people-free zone around the G20 people than to allow freedom of speech, freedom of assembly or the freedom to protest.

It took a lawsuit by the Center for Constitutional Rights and the ACLU to get any major protest permitted anywhere near downtown Pittsburgh. Even then, the police "forgot" what was permitted and turned people away from areas of town. Hundreds of police also harassed a bus of people who were giving away free food - repeatedly detaining the bus and searching it and its passengers without warrants.

Then a group of young people decided that they did not need a permit to express their human and constitutional rights to freedom. They announced they were going to hold their own gathering at a city park and go down the deserted city streets to protest the G20. Maybe 200 of these young people were self-described anarchists, dressed in black, many with bandanas across their faces. The police warned everyone these people were very scary. My cab driver said the anarchist spokesperson looked like Harry Potter in a black hoodie. The anarchists were joined in the park by hundreds of other activists of all ages, ultimately one thousand strong, all insisting on exercising their right to protest.

This drove the authorities crazy.

Battle dressed ninja turtles showed up at the park and formed a line across one entrance. Helicopters buzzed overhead. Armored vehicles gathered.

The crowd surged out of the park and up a side street yelling, chanting, drumming, and holding signs. As they exited the park, everyone passed an ice cream truck that was playing "It's a small world after all." Indeed.

Any remaining doubts about the militarization of the police were dispelled shortly after the crowd left the park. A few blocks away the police unveiled their latest high tech anti-protestor toy. It was mounted on the back of a huge black truck. The Pittsburgh-Gazette described it as Long Range Acoustic Device designed to break up crowds with piercing noise. Similar devices have been used in Fallujah, Mosul and Basra Iraq. The police backed the truck up, told people not to go any further down the street and then blasted them with piercing noise.

The crowd then moved to other streets. Now they were being tracked by helicopters. The police repeatedly tried to block them from re-grouping ultimately firing tear gas into the crowd injuring hundreds including people in the residential neighborhood where the police decided to confront the marchers. I was treated to some of the tear gas myself and I found the Pittsburgh brand to be spiced with a hint of kelbasa. Fortunately I was handed some paper towels soaked in apple cider vinegar which helped fight the tears and cough a bit. Who would have thought?

After the large group broke and ran from the tear gas, smaller groups went into commercial neighborhoods and broke glass at a bank and a couple of other businesses. The police chased and the glass breakers ran. And the police chased and the people ran. For a few hours.

By day the police were menacing, but at night they lost their cool. Around a park by the University of Pittsburgh the ninja turtles pushed and shoved and beat and arrested not just protestors but people passing by. One young woman reported she and her friend watched Grey's Anatomy and were on their way back to their dorm when they were cornered by police. One was bruised by police baton and her friend was arrested. Police shot tear gas, pepper spray, smoke canisters, and rubber bullets. They pushed with big plastic shields and struck with batons.

The biggest march was Friday. Thousands of people from Pittsburgh and other places protested the G20. Since the court had ruled on this march, the police did not confront the marchers. Ninja turtled police showed up in formation sometimes and the helicopters hovered but no confrontations occurred.

Again Friday night, riot clad police fought with students outside of the University of Pittsburgh. To what end was just as unclear as the night before.

Ultimately about 200 were arrested, mostly in clashes with the police around the University.

The G20 leaders left by helicopter and limousine.

Pittsburgh now belongs again to the people of Pittsburgh. The cement barricades were removed, the fences were taken down, the bridges and roads were opened. The gunboats packed up and left. The police packed away their ninja turtle outfits and tear gas and rubber bullets. They don't look like military commandos anymore. No more gunboats on the river. No more sirens all the time. No more armored vehicles and ear splitting machines used in Iraq. On Monday the businesses will open and kids will have to go back to school. Civil society has returned.

It is now probably even safe to exercise constitutional rights in Pittsburgh once again.

The USA really showed those terrorists didn't we? Bill is a human rights lawyer with the Center for Constitutional Rights. Quigley77@yahoo.com

_{(more information on police hurting citizens on Portland Indy Media)}

_{http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2009/09/394352.shtml}

Posted by Joe Anybody at 12:01 AM PDT

Updated: Monday, 28 September 2009 3:39 PM PDT

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Mood:  bright

You Got To See These... hot subjects... !

Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEJcAl75CYQ

Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wa6zJqTjUwM

Part3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMqZ_k4cBD8

Part 4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8tTXEcUIC0

Part 5
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgBwippF-fY

Posted by Joe Anybody at 2:20 PM PDT

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Mood:  incredulous

- breaking news -

Portland Independent Media 

September 27 and 26 2009

http://portland.indymedia.org/en/breakingnews/

12:04AM PDT: resistg20: RT(twitter): Everybody following me take your names off your profiles. The pigs are watching
9:56PM PDT: PGHIMC: Demonstrators in Oakland - circulating around. March may be headed somewhere in town, 
9:54PM PDT: G20IMC: 3x Aggressive fake Anarchist protesters in tonights march have been spotted & likely verified. Baseball caps, silly shoes
11:39PM PDT: pittnews: G20 Pictures http://www.pittnews.com/g20/
11:25PM PDT: anarchists: mojustice: check the status of someone who has been arrested, call 412-350-201
11:20PM PDT: G20IMC: Interview #2 With Pitt Students Attacked by Police http://bit.ly/uOcqi 
11:18PM PDT: ThePittNews: Seven people were arrested at the "makeshift booking area" set up near Towers. 
11:11PM PDT: TheSQMan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rj7hye9d5PQ ..G-20 University Of Pittsburgh Police Brutality video from window
11:10PM PDT: resistg20: Sighing off for the night, will report on the aftermath of the Battle of Pittsburgh tomorrow. Stay safe, stay strong! 
11:08PM PDT: resistg20: CelluloidBlonde Land of the Free: Martial Law in Pittsburgh [video clips] http://l.pr/a44ab 
10:29PM PDT: resistg20: At least 5 people appear to be under arrest near GSPH. Police told people walking by to move or end up sitting on the sidewalk
10:17PM PDT: peacefreedom:CelluloidBlonde: Digeratii is posting Pittsburgh police are holding campus & students hostage
10:14PM PDT: resistg20: Report recieved that police are "nabbing" anyone that looks like a protestor / Black Bloc. Stay alert watch your friends!
10:06PM PDT: SocialistZine: infernoenigma: Pitt Police Chief Tim Delaney estimates more than 100 arrests in Oakland 2nite, most 4 failure 2 disperse
10:01PM PDT: notyourbroom: I'm going to bed, but here's the scanner link again http://bit.ly/o4Xyv 
10:01PM PDT: SocialistZine: ThePittNews: 3 ppl R sitting on ground w/ hands clasped behind their backs near skool of Public Health. Police standing near.
10:00PM PDT: resistg20RT: drgoddess: Some students in the towers are hanging out the windows calling the cops mfers just for the hell of it and laughing 
9:59PM PDT: Digeratii: (30 min ago) I'm back in my dorm room, which is filled with tear gas from a crack in the window. Getting videos and photos off of my camera.
9:58PM PDT: anarchists: Legal Assistance 412-562-5015 also, if you have photos, video FIRST HAND WITNESS ACCOUNTS, contact - tomorrow
9:56PM PDT: g20pghlegal: Arrestees are being taken to SCI, 3001 Beaver Ave, Pittsburgh. Jail vigil is on the way
9:56PM PDT: SocialistZine: infernoenigma: If anyone can get a major news agency, have them call 412 254 3248 to speak with me and
9:51PM PDT: steveklabnik: heading off, scanner seems pretty dead, most the protest over. this was the best comms effort i've seen yet! take care
9:49PM PDT: ianthevedge: same civilian turning around yelling in outrage, then peppersprayed and shot with a rubber bullet, police office grabbing at
9:49PM PDT: SocialistZine: ThePittNews: Some people are being arrested on the Fifth Avenue side of Towers 
9:46PM PDT: resistg20: OddLetters: OC gas, sonic cannons, and rubber bullets were deployed, 60+ plus arrests reported.
9:46PM PDT: resistg20: They just fired smoke grenades at people yelling solidarity chants. Everyone ìs fine.
9:45PM PDT: resistg20: atlasmedia: Total police brutality right now in Pittsburgh. Live coverage on AMO 24/7 over at http://bit.ly/3uDCfi 
9:43PM PDT: rahsheen: RT @digeratii PITTSBURGH POLICE LAUGHING, TAKING GROUP PHOTO WITH ARRESTED, BEATEN STUDENT. I HAVE VIDEO
9:21PM PDT: resistg20: jrh102: Up S bellefield ave, cops blocked north and south intersections. Squeezed us between. pushed us through CL hedges
9:19PM PDT: DerekSheldon: BoringPgh: Tactical teams are starting to meet on Fifth and Oakland Ave - ready to convoy out of Oakland
9:11PM PDT: SocialistZine: This is a police riot! #g20 #reportg20 #pittsburgh
9:10PM PDT: g20pghlegal: corporate media confirms ~40 arrests, 9 more just reported
9:10PM PDT: resistg20: Police station in Pittsburgh got fucked up. G20 is a war-zone http://twitgoo.com/3rkht
9:08PM PDT: SocialistZine: anarchists: mojustice: nineone: "photojournalist friend for Tribune in Oakland right now says its REAL bad."
9:07PM PDT: SteelCityMark: 9 people arrested so far 
8:58PM PDT: resistg20: Police station in Pittsburgh got fucked up. G20 is a war-zone. http://twitgoo.com/3rkht / 
8:57PM PDT: mitchmanifesto: g20 police HAVE entered dorm lobby, possibly 56 arrested so far. demanding ID for all in dorms
8:56PM PDT: resistg20: infernoenigma: COP IN TOWERS LOBBY SAYS THIS IS NOT MARTIAL LAW, BUT 'ALMOST JUST LIKE IT
8:55PM PDT: SocialistZine: ThePittNews: A Pitt security guard said there is a sit-in in Towers Lobby. can't confirm
8:53PM PDT: mikegogulski: "Looks like a high-ranking Penn Police official is walking up to the Towers now"
8:51PM PDT: resistg20: RIOT POLICE ENTER TOWERS LOBBY. NO ONE ALLOWED IN OR OUT. TOWERS SURROUNDED. COPS ASKING FOR ID.
8:50PM PDT: mikegogulski: HEARD "Units from quad are gonna have to bring the arrests up" (to 5th and Tennyson)
8:49PM PDT: (11:41 PM) the police are planning to do a sweep through 'the towers' to check for protesters in upper floors" // The radical arm of the peoples movement are out there now facing off w/ police.
8:48PM PDT: resistg20: rawrsaystara: a smoke bomb just exploded on towers patio on the fifth side
8:47PM PDT: resistg20: Caller: "protesters and students alike barricaded at litchfield towers, pulled out one by one and ziptied" also, use of gas 
8:45PM PDT: SocialistZine: students say they're going to pull fire alarms in dorms,don't be freaked if you hear alarm but DO leave building
8:44PM PDT: resistg20: CoaHT: The radical arm of the peoples movement are out there now facing off w/ police
8:43PM PDT: Another bus full of riot police making its way to Pitt in Oakland
8:41PM PDT: infernoenigma: Just to make clear: I asked RA if it's officially martial law, she said yeah.i can't do anything more.
8:40PM PDT: SocialistZine: Digeratii: TEARGAS REPORTED IN DORMITORY PATIO AREAS, STUDENTS IN CHAOS
8:40PM PDT: SocialistZine: infernoenigma: Police chasing crowds of students up Fifth Ave
8:39PM PDT: SocialistZine: spikenlilli: Students report being blocked from entering dorms and being told to "go home"
8:34PM PDT: g20pghpolice: trying to get black block near mackee
8:30PM PDT: resistg20: Listen to G20 police/fire scanner w/iPhone: http://j.mp/14vLdJ
8:28PM PDT: resistg20: RayBeckerman: Happening Now: Gas deployment on the University of Pittsburgh student protesters in Oakland
8:26PM PDT: resistg20: mitchmanifesto: all available wagons go behind the cathedral- 
8:25PM PDT: g20pgh: 11:16:25 PM: 40 -50 being arrested in center quad will be taken to main tower
8:24PM PDT: resistg20: kellyowarrior: SHOTS FIRED IN OAKLAND, POLICE ARE BLOCKING ENTRANCES TO DORMS
8:23PM PDT: "40 in custody in the center of the quad"
8:20PM PDT: SocialistZine: infernoenigma: The view out these glass windows is terrifying. Police swarming the area. Blocking stairs. Pushing students
8:19PM PDT: "They need all kinds of wagons at Forbes & Schenley" mass arrests imminent
8:19PM PDT: Pigs on bigelow be careful
8:18PM PDT: "Take your arrests to Forbes & Schenley, that's where booking aid is at"
8:17PM PDT: SocialistZine: jrails1983: Cathedral surrounded.
8:16PM PDT: g20pgh30: people surrounded in quad with 8 medics mass arrest immenent
8:15PM PDT: resistg20: anarchists: police concerned about spectators not dispersed- don't want witnesses
8:15PM PDT: g20actionalert: 5th & Bigelow, police have told us to disperse or risk tear gas, crowd remains mellow.
8:14PM PDT: resistg20: Many people are in the intersection of Forbes Avenue and Bouquet demonstrating. Most are on the sidewalks
8:12PM PDT: SocialistZine: infernoenigma: They're trying to force people into the Park ... as they said on the scanner "hammer and anvil." 
8:12PM PDT: SocialistZine: THE WHOLE WORLD IS WATCHING YOU, PGH P.D., ETC. LEAVE MY COMRADES ALONE! 
8:06PM PDT: g20pghcops: are going to try to push up forbes and encircle protesters
8:05PM PDT: mikegogulski: arrest team being dispatched to Shenley & Forbes
8:04PM PDT: resistg20: Cops are going to try to push up forbes and encircle protesters
8:02PM PDT: g20pgh: police have begun to push the crowd east on forbes; also, they may be planning some kind of action on 5th
8:01PM PDT: SocialistZine: infernoenigma: I'M SAFE, FORCED INTO THE QUAD. CAN'T SEE COPS. SCREAMING ECHOES AROUND CAMPUS 
8:00PM PDT: resistg20: Hey police following Twitter: Your people overheard saying that they're going to "kick ass". Got anything 2 say bout that? 
7:59PM PDT: SocialistZine: infernoenigma: JUST SAW A COP JUMP OUT OF A VAN, YELL 'IT'S ASS KICKING TIME' AND GO RUNNING.
7:59PM PDT: resistg20: NickPinkstonReport confirmed: Confiscation of bandannas in north Oakland
7:58PM PDT: infernoenigma: JUST SAW A COP JUMP OUT OF A VAN, YELL 'IT'S ASS KICKING TIME' AND GO RUNNING 
7:58PM PDT: SocialistZine: infernoenigma: I'M SAFE, FORCED INTO THE QUAD. CAN'T SEE COPS. SCREAMING ECHOES AROUND CAMPUS
7:57PM PDT: resistg20: police throw smoke and and tear gas on forbes. Launch smoke over the union 
7:56PM PDT: resistg20: nickersmartin: more riot teams just in
7:55PM PDT: resistg20: COPS NOW PUSHING STUDENTS TO FIFTH AVE. WE WERE A THOUSAND YARDS AWAY. PUSHING US AGAINST COPS
7:51PM PDT: infernoenigma: COPS PUT ON GAS MASKS. I'M NOW IN FRONT OF CATHEDRAL, 1000 YARDS FROM CROWD
7:50PM PDT: g20actionalert: Protestors being asked to disperse at Forbes & Bigelow
7:49PM PDT: SocialistZine: SOUND CANNON BEING USED ON STUDENTS ACROSS PLAZA. RECORDED 'DISPERSE' MSG BEING PLAYED
7:48PM PDT: smilyus: surrounded by riot cops and noise machine being used
7:35PM PDT: brettbender: Lrad just flew down forbes toward schenley park. 
7:27PM PDT: mikegogulski: "requesting a mobile field force with shields on the front line"
7:20PM PDT: steveklabnik: This is completely insane. So many cops for so few people.
7:19PM PDT: steveklabnik: Full lines of cops with shields and such. So many cops. This is going to get ugly
7:17PM PDT: resistg20: Craig and forbes has 25 riot police. blocking craigs street
7:16PM PDT: g20pghmedic: riot police have blocked off craig street
7:13PM PDT: steveklabnik: reports of riot police on craig and forbes sirens starting
7:09PM PDT: g20actionalert:(20 minutes ago) - 3 ambulances, TV news van rolling up on Schenely Plaza... Protectors against police brutality
7:07PM PDT: g20actionalert: Group of 7 or so bein illegally searched, S Bouquet & Forbes Ave, in need of legal observer!!
7:02PM PDT: steveklabnik: Playing ' anarchist anarchist cop ' while the real cops take pictures at the park
7:01PM PDT: resistg20: 7-10 being detained by national guard on forbes
7:00PM PDT: AgentOrange: Camouflage army truck with uniformed soldiers moving down Forbes toward Schenley Plaza
7:00PM PDT: steveklabnik: Humvee coming down forbes
6:52PM PDT: resistg20: Be careful out there tonight, everyone. We don't want anyone to get snatched by national guard.
5:23PM PDT: G20imc: firedepartment setting up fire hoses on bouquet by the dirty o
5:21PM PDT: g20actionalert: LRAD device truck just drove down Forbes, toward CMU campus.
5:08PM PDT: mikegogulski(rummor?): "munitions and weapons systems to the SWAT staging area"
5:06PM PDT: resistg20: Pitt Rally tonight is at 10p @ jailhouse (Schenley Plaza) Jailed activists bail set at $15000
4:48PM PDT: g20pgh: police units are moving to the 7th street bridge
4:47PM PDT: steveklabnik: mayor also said he was under the impression that police showed "a tremendous amount of restraint." http://bit.ly/39nCtZ
4:44PM PDT: AgentOrangeFAI: Mayor Luke Ravenstahl said the city will investigate the police reaction to students and protesters 
4:43PM PDT: rondmc: Cops massing between Schenly Plaza and Hillman
4:38PM PDT: JessieHr: Pitt bystanders hit w/ Batons, Rubber Bullets Tear Gas by riot police: video- http://tinyurl.com/yc8z4ab
4:37PM PDT: joerobertson: Civil liberties groups: 'Police overreacted"
4:33PM PDT: Resist g20: Automated phone alert from #Pitt: "#g20 disturbances may continue on campus tonight."
4:29PM PDT: g20 action alert: Critical mass just crossed Forbes Ave & Atwood, heading down Forbes
4:27PM PDT: g20 pgh: concert in shinley plaza is "very peaceful"
4:18PM PDT: g20 action alert: In vicinity of U of #Pittsburgh, Forbes Ave. Police gearing up
4:16PM PDT: g20 Action Alert: Still feelin' spunky? Want to demonstrate to oppose #G20? 10 PM, Schenley Park, after concert.
4:12PM PDT: g20 pgh: police have crossed the 16th street following protest
4:07PM PDT: g20 pgh: police monitoring protestors at the 3400 block of penn ave
4:07PM PDT: resist g20: critical mass at 19th and 16th heading north on penn ave, cops starting to mass
3:30PM PDT: g20 pgh: 10 cop cars on chatham square
3:02PM PDT: G20 IMC: Protesters are assembled at the Allegheny Courthouse on 2nd Ave downtown. Riot police have been deployed. More protesters needed!
3:01PM PDT: g20 pgh: riot cops massing at the jail vigil
2:12PM PDT: g20 pgh: free concert in shinley plaza tonight at 7pm
2:11PM PDT: g20 pgh: delegates are leaving hotel to go to the airport
2:11PM PDT: resist g20: Police are going to do a sweep from smithfield all the way to 7th to rid protesters of area
1:37PM PDT: resist g20: UPitt isnt permitting the youth hiphop show on the cathedral lawn tonight due to threat of swine flu pandemic
1:31PM PDT: g20 pgh: protestor group leaving the park on the northside- seems peaceful
1:17PM PDT: infernoenigma: Many, many helicopters following march. We're near the Andy Warhol Museum now. Still peaceful
1:16PM PDT: g20 pgh: police are looking for people wearing "free tibet" t-shirts
1:14PM PDT: g20 action alert: "We the People... Order G20 to disperse immediately, or be subject to enhanced protest tactics" Cindy Sheehan
1:13PM PDT: g20 pgh: 12 squad cars circling the park
1:11PM PDT: g20 action alert: "When it all comes crashing down.. You can spread your wings and fly." David Rovics
1:03PM PDT: G20 Action Alert: "NO HOPE IN CAPITALISM" banner to right of stage http://twitpic.com/j3pa2
1:00PM PDT: G20 Action Alert: Seeds of Peace and Everybody's Kitchen is serving meals to right of stage (when facing stage), Peoples March.
12:52PM PDT: pgh human rights: estimated 8,000 people at the peoples march today. largest protest march in #pittsburgh since the 1970's
12:52PM PDT: g20 pgh: cops deploying at east sandusky and commons
12:51PM PDT: g20 action alert: March reaching East Park now, across river from delegates at #G20 meet point
12:50PM PDT: g20 pgh: officers at 10th street overpass
12:50PM PDT: g20 pgh: police sweeping 6th and 7th streets bridges
12:43PM PDT: nickpinkston: police scanner mentons motor cades need 2 pass near protestors??
12:42PM PDT: g20 action alert: Marchers are just finishing crossing the 7th St bridge http://twitpic.com/j3leo
12:40PM PDT: pgh human rights: peoples march crossing the bridge http://twitpic.com/j3jke
12:40PM PDT: steveklabnik: About 75 cops and two lines of horses boxing in free speech zone.
12:32PM PDT: steveklabnik: cop with dog going to arrest that guy on the bridge when he comes down (he is 1/2 up support on bridge)
12:30PM PDT: g20actionalert: March still huge. Organizers estimate 10,000. Cherry Way & 5th Ave
12:26PM PDT: steveklabnik: Lots of people standing on the bridge, flipping everyone off in the convention center.
12:25PM PDT: steveklabnik: Cop taking pictures behind a barrier, protester blocks him with a sign. They both laugh
12:21PM PDT: steveklabnik: People who aren't protesting are allowed on the sidewalk behind the cops. Yellow tape separates the streets off. 
12:18PM PDT: steveklabnik: police look so much like military, It's incredible. Brown fatigues and black armor 
12:13PM PDT: g20 pgh: 2 lines deep of cops on 5th and wood
12:12PM PDT: g20 action alert: March still huge. Organizers estimate 10,000. Cherry Way & 5th Ave
12:02PM PDT: g20 action alert: March departing from the City County building, brass band raging.
12:00PM PDT: pgh human rights: the peoples march is on the way to east park
12:00PM PDT: I love the woman from the Poor People's Campaign, she's so awesome
11:55AM PDT: Resist g20: jesus freak homophobes @ forbes and grant make out party now
11:53AM PDT: g20 action alert: This movement is growing. "Adelante," brothers & sisters -Benedicto Orozco, Mex unionist
11:50AM PDT: G20 imc radio: "We take to the streets today to say clearly we are not in agreement... We will not be silenced! Let's move forward brothers & sisters!"
11:48AM PDT: G20 IMC Radio: "A people's tribunal met & found G20 guilty of impoverishing people around the world & violating women's rights"
11:45AM PDT: g20 action alert: "It is time for their empire to fall." -Kate Gott, SDS. 
11:44AM PDT: G20 IMC Radio: SDS "Students & workers, shut the city down!"
11:42AM PDT: g20 action alert: #G20 has commodified and monetized everything, including land and culture -Jihan Gearon, Indigenous Enviro Network
11:42AM PDT: g20 pgh: (re-post) undercovers: female wears white bandana, male black bandana, both of them wearing sun glasses, following black bloc very close
11:41AM PDT: G20 IMC Radio: streaming coverage of speakers. Most are radical and awesome!
11:39AM PDT: g20 pgh: LRAD backing up forbes on grant
11:38AM PDT: g20 imc: Bike cops relocating from 5th Ave to Penn, cop reports "We're chargin' in on the horses"
11:37AM PDT: Pgh human rights: peoples march at the city council building http://twitpic.com/j3b7i
11:36AM PDT: g20 imc: police looking to relocate #LRAD
11:35AM PDT: G20IMC: Bike cops relocating from 5th Ave to Penn, cop reports "We're chargin' in on the horses
11:35AM PDT: g20 action alert: "We have to fight for a better world. State #capitalism has failed." Ashley Smith, ISO, at Peoples March to the #G20
11:33AM PDT: mikeramsey: Things are eerily quiet outside of the demonstration. More cops than citizens out on the streets 
11:28AM PDT: g20 pgh: forbes and grant: riot squads loading weapons with "rubber bullets"
11:27AM PDT: g20 imc: #LRAD siren reported at 3rd & Grant, police also asking for more assistance at 4th & Grants
11:26AM PDT: g20 pgh: forbes and grant, riot cops walking into the crowd
11:25AM PDT: g20 action alert: "The people have the solutions," not the #G20
11:24AM PDT: g20 action alert: "The #G20 can't solve the global econ crisis & climate crisis - they caused the crisis..." -Pete Shell, Thomas Merton Cntr #Pittsburgh
11:22AM PDT: g20 pgh: cops requesting backup for 5th and grant
11:22AM PDT: g20 pgh: undercovers: female wears white bandana, male black bandana, both of them wearing sun glasses, following black bloc very close.
11:21AM PDT: g20 imc: set up LRAD near Liberty & Grant area; major police presence at 5th & Ross
11:14AM PDT: mechphisto: They've cornered the permitted march downtown. There is no clear way out other than through lines.
11:12AM PDT: G20IMC: protesters to be redirected down 7th street & across bridge
11:11AM PDT: g20pgh: cops photographing people on Forbes and Grant- be careful!
11:01AM PDT: g20pgh3: undercovers in olive green tshirts following the black bloc at the parade on ross and 5th Ave
11:00AM PDT: mikeramsey: The demonstration site downtown is cordoned off with tape that reads CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS. A little premature?
10:41AM PDT: g20 pgh: march is on 5th and vine right now 
10:40AM PDT: g20 pgh: March is on 5th and mitenberger, riot cops activity and bike cops
10:32AM PDT: g20 action alert: "You're sexy, you're cute, take off that riot suit." -Black bloc chanting to police.
10:24AM PDT: g20 action alert: Looks like 4000 to 5000 people here.
10:24AM PDT: g20pgh: police vehicles parked at the north side of birmingham bridge - 6 port authority vehicles up a hill behind 5th & kirkpatrick - march is 3-4 blocks long 
10:18AM PDT: g20 action alert: Peoples March is headed downtown on Fifth Ave, huge numbers here, can't count them all
10:18AM PDT: Pgh human rights: police are in full effect at the peoples march http://twitpic.com/j2yh9
10:02AM PDT: g20 action alert: "Capitalism is not working for [the G20] and it's not working for us." -Immigrant rights speaker
10:01AM PDT: Pgh human rights: and we're marching... at peoples march. next stop city council bldng
9:59AM PDT: g20 pgh: 6 port authority vehicles up a hill behind 5th & kirkpatrick
9:57AM PDT: mikeramsey: ACLU and NLG observers in neon orange and green hats are everywhere
9:57AM PDT: Anarchists: teargas, 1 arrest on baum and liberty, beat people with batons, shot with rubber bullets 
9:55AM PDT: Pgh human rights: march thru #pittsburgh abt to begin. organizers urge peace
9:54AM PDT: Pgh human rights: spkng abt healthcare & immigration at the peoples march in oakland
9:47AM PDT: g20 action alert: We are marching for "people before profit." -Joyce Wagner, Iraq Veterans Against the War, Peoples March to the #G20
9:46AM PDT: Pgh human rights: the peoples march in oakland. lots of ppl here http://twitpic.com/j2ueb
9:44AM PDT: g20 action legal: Peoples March to the #G20 at 5th & Craft, #pittsburgh to oppose has maybe two thousand marchers
9:37AM PDT: Anarchists: Pittsburgh Police, National Guard in full riot gear, County Police on MCs just outside of Peoples March @ 5th & Craft
9:18AM PDT: g20 action alert: Queer student contingent walking up Forbes to join Peoples March, just crossing Atwood & Forbes
9:08AM PDT: g20 pgh: JAIL VIGIL/ solidarity @ municipal court drive and 1st ave
9:07AM PDT: Global Pgh: Protest in Oakland is peaceful right now, protestors are singing loudly.
8:52AM PDT: g20 imc: VIDEO Riot Police Trap University Students on a Staircase and Deploy Chemical Weapons http://indypgh.org/g20/#k-fbd79b0e2ce5faae
8:52AM PDT: mikeramsey: Bike cops are following the march down 5th 
8:51AM PDT: mikeramsey: A chorus of "we all live in a fascist police state" to the tune of We All Live in a Yellow Submarine at 5th and Craft
8:37AM PDT: Resist g20: Code Pink just arrived at the antiwar protest at Soldiers & Sailors in Oakland
8:37AM PDT: Resist g20: About 100 people leaving #CMU campus with drums
8:31AM PDT: Resist g20: Student Event Flagstaff Hill
8:30AM PDT: Resist g20: Maybe twenty cops lined up on cmu campus lawn
8:11AM PDT: Pdx Imc: We'll be restreaming G-Infinity radio all day & you can also follow our Breaking News wire on Twitter: Portlandimc
8:07AM PDT: g20 pgh: Action at Wholefoods, East Liberty, 5580 center ave
8:04AM PDT: 3 Rivers CC: All workshops now taking place at G20 Art Project Space,Carnegie Mellon U Main Quad
7:54AM PDT: DN!: Police Crackdown on G20 Protests: Democracy Now! Reports from the Streets http://www.democracynow.org/blog/2009/9/25/steve
7:52AM PDT: Anarchists,help the mass effort 2 educate the public(we've got attn)! Get on the net, comment vids/blogs/articles, call in 2 radio/tv shows!
7:40AM PDT: g20 action alert: Protesters Are Met by Tear Gas at G-20 Conference http://www.g20media.org/node/144
7:13AM PDT: g20 action alert: Organizers report that all garbage cans have been removed from Oakland
7:12AM PDT: DN!: G20 Summit in Pittsburgh Highlights Economic Decline of Former Steel Capital http://www.democracynow.org/2009/9/25/g20_in_pittsburgh
7:07AM PDT: g20 action alert: Women's Walk for Peace with Bev Smith, CodePINK starts 10 AM, West Park, joins Peoples March, ends near www.womenswalk.org
7:05AM PDT: g20 action alert: 9 AM student meetup for morning actions just getting underway, Forbes & Bigelow
7:03AM PDT: g20 public safety website http://www.g20safety.org/
7:00AM PDT: g20 action alert: Climate justice and youth march to join Peoples March 11AM, CMU, Forbes & Morewood Ave
5:39AM PDT: Anarchists: Making Release of 33yr #Indigenous US prisoner of conscience Leonard Peltier a #g20 priority. Ask @obama to #freepeltier.
4:27AM PDT: G20 pgh legal: Jail vigil moved to courthouse at 1st and Municipal. Night shift needs relief; bring snacks etc. for released arrestees 
4:21AM PDT: g20 pgh legal: Arraignments ongoing all night, but observers have not been allowed in Courthouse for them. At least six releases. 
12:55AM PDT: G20 IMC: VIDEO Riot Police Assault Young Couple at University http://indypgh.org/g20/#k-f83d7bd1877aed37
12:49AM PDT: Black Bloc left small, rowdy contingents behind as distractions while mobilizing to crop up elsewhere. Impressive display of clever organizing.
12:44AM PDT: Black Bloc strategically outmaneuvered police all day successfully avoiding mass arrest by disappearing & reappearing all over Pittsburgh.
12:41AM PDT: 12 protests. Black Bloc numbers peaked at 1,100. Targets damaged: McDonalds, KFC, Banks, Police Station, Boston Market chain, BMW Dealership, Homeland Security, among others.
12:16AM PDT: g20 pgh legal: 3:30 AM Jail vigil to resume at Allegheny County Jail downtown. Go and support them if you can

-----------------------

11:50PM PDT: Pgh imc: Voices from the Free Tibet March (9/24/09): Tibetans from the East Coast took the opportunity http://indypgh.org/g20/#k-d691fd98e7f1703a
11:49PM PDT: g20 imc: Interview with Dan Onorato: The day before the People's Uprising March, we interviewed Chief Execut http://indypgh.org/g20/#k-a067e714afeb85b1
11:43PM PDT: Anarchists: K-9 units coming to Butler street - 1,2,3,4... 5 units
11:39PM PDT: kim huynh 22: From Pittsburgh--I voted for Obama and all I got is this lousy police state http://itsgettinghotinhere.org/2009/09/22/i-voted-for-obama-and-all-i-got-is-this-lousy-police-state/
11:35PM PDT: g20 pgh: units on route to birmingham bridge
11:35PM PDT: Anarchists: Dog unit going to Butler
11:33PM PDT: g20 pgh: cops are gearing up ready to roll on folks on butler
11:33PM PDT: g20 pgh: 100 people in front of the belvedere and on butler
11:32PM PDT: Of Interest New School Anarchists shut down Homeland Security Event http://peoplesmovement.amplify.com/2009/09/25/new-school-anarchists-shut-down-homeland-security-event/
11:31PM PDT: g20 pgh: police and military are chasing 3 groups dressed in black west bound on 3rd street. get out of there!
11:30PM PDT: Anarchists: Our contingent in Pittsburgh are all wearing business wear
11:29PM PDT: g2o pgh: shindley park Upitt - up to 10 arrests, 3 confirmed
11:28PM PDT: g20 pgh: cops are chasing 3 different groups south bound
11:27PM PDT: g20 pgh: military in the area and there are military check points set up
10:33PM PDT: G20 pgh: Riot Cops heading to South Side (UNCONFIRMED)
10:14PM PDT: Anarchists: VIDEO G20 PROTESTS: Police State USA; Wake up! http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=709ECDC88D070CD3
10:03PM PDT: g20 pgh: 20-30 bike cops on 6th ave & 6 police vehicles on 5th ave just passed kirkpatrick(?) heading to downtown
10:03PM PDT: Police formation in residential http://twitpic.com/izxrg
10:01PM PDT: Anarchists: City of Pittsburgh bought insurance to cover lawsuits against police - meaning dont trust cops to act lawfully
9:59PM PDT: Anarchists: Lucy Parsons would have been proud of Anarchists in Pittsburgh Today.
9:56PM PDT: Resist g20: 20-year old female with history of asthma, Forbes Avenue dormitory, trouble breathing due to pepper spray
9:55PM PDT: g20 pgh legal: Jail vigil kicked out of SCI Pittsburgh. Stand by for updated info
9:44PM PDT: G20 Action Alert: alex is ok
9:37PM PDT: G20 IMC: Students gassed by police in PGH(oakland neighbrhd)
9:31PM PDT: Anarchists: (VIDEO) Female beaten and arrested after being instigated by riot police http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzOG7yghNvQ
9:26PM PDT: G20 pgh legal: Seven people being held at Allegheny County Jail. Arraignment courts to run all night, contact us for info on court support.
9:25PM PDT: Pdx Imc: Pittsburgh Black Block have managed to hit strategic targets all over the city despite inferior numbers & severe oppression. Cops panicking as they can't keep up with the disappearing-reappearing tricky ninjas.
9:24PM PDT: hospitalizepopo: video of girl getting pushed on ground - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzOG7yghNvQ
9:20PM PDT: Anarchists: Events in Pittsburgh today show,despite unequal arsenal/ paid numbers at Govt disposal - THE PEOPLE,NOT GOVT REACTIONARIES, have control
9:19PM PDT: Resist G20: Alex Lotorto is missing
9:13PM PDT: g20 pgh: Police dispersing folks onto forbes against traffic
9:13PM PDT: G20 pgh: two more arrests, cops have blocked off student dorms, using weapons
9:12PM PDT: Anarchists: women getting beat by police
9:09PM PDT: G20 pgh: Lots of police need Fuel, can't find Fuel. Trying to get Tanker Truck to fuel humvees
9:08PM PDT: G20 IMC Radio: Students being beaten in the dormitory & threatened with expulsion if they do not disburse from dorm. 
9:05PM PDT: Resist g20: ARMED RIOT OFFICER INSIDE PITT DORMATORY LOBBY
9:04PM PDT: Resist G20: Things are getting [exciting] in Oakland right now http://twitpic.com/j0xlk
9:02PM PDT: Resist G20: Protestors are moving over to the South Side. Group forming under the Hot Metal Bridge
8:58PM PDT: Resist g20: Police overheard saying: We're going to have MULTIPLE ARRESTS
8:56PM PDT: G20 pgh: Group forming at Hot Metal Bridge
8:55PM PDT: Resist G20: Seems like the BB! contingent is mostly safe
8:55PM PDT: G20 pgh: forbes and s craig, protestors breaking out windows
8:53PM PDT: Anarchists: Pitt students are reportedly being forced into freshman dorms with rumors of rubber bullets. Swat teams everywhere in Oakland
8:52PM PDT: G20 pgh: Police not responding to other calls. "All units are in Oakland"
8:51PM PDT: Anarchists: ARMORED RIOT COP ENTERS PITT DORMITORY. "IF ANYONE IS ARRESTED THEY WILL BE EXPELLED!" STUDENTS SCREAM
8:42PM PDT: Anarchists: Police are advancing through the Quad
8:42PM PDT: Anarchists: Tear gas sprayed near pitt dorms
8:41PM PDT: Anarchists: Just got my first blast of teargas. You can't get away from these cops
8:40PM PDT: Anarchists: Blackhawk choppers over hill district again
8:34PM PDT: Anarchists: Fully emphathise with Pittsburghers alarm at whats happening to their city. Mirrors our alarm at what #g20 is doing to our world
8:32PM PDT: G20 pgh: RIOT POLICE MARCH DOWN FORBES, SENDING STUDENTS SPRINTING TOWARD TOWERS. TEAR GAS SHOT AT CROWD
8:31PM PDT: G20 pgh: campus: giving dispersal order-probably 200 people at least there. Almost entire perimeter is surrounded with riot cops
8:30PM PDT: Anarchists: Police have completely lined Fifth Ave and Bigelow
8:18PM PDT: G20 pgh: near cathedral of learning & heinz chapel:POLICE JUST PILED OUT OF BUDGET TRUCKS. SOUND CANNONS BEING FIRED AT CROWD. COPS HAVE GAS MASKS ON
8:14PM PDT: Anarchists: EIGHT CANISTERS OF TEAR GAS FIRED AT PROTESTERS ON THE CATHEDRAL LAWN
8:13PM PDT: G20 pgh: horse cops going N on bellerfield from bayard
8:09PM PDT: G20 pgh: liberty, 2 groups of 10 to 15 moving down liberty
8:06PM PDT: Anarchists: POLICE ON HORSES, SWAT TEAMS, SOUND CANNON (LRAD) ON BIGELOW
8:06PM PDT: G20 pgh: grey 2000 chrysler town and country, w/ PA registration-get the fuck out of there!
8:04PM PDT: G20 pgh: pigs cut off forbes ave(at oakland) to one lane
8:04PM PDT: G20 pgh legal: 9 have now been released from SCI, 6 likely to be released soon. Others being moved to ACJ, with "more serious charges"
8:02PM PDT: G20 PGH: radical marching band playing on steps of cathedral, and riot cops continue to launch smoke bombs at them
8:01PM PDT: G20 PGH: warning: police looking for a dodge caravan with ny plates, watch out
7:59PM PDT: G20 PGH: students are chanting to cops "to get off fucking campus"
7:58PM PDT: G20 PGH: people at cathedral of learning, riot cops are shooting "smoke bombs"
7:57PM PDT: G20 PGH Legal: jail vigil moved to SCI 3001 Beaver Ave, Pittsburgh, PA‎ 15233 please come if you can
7:56PM PDT: G20 PGH: IRAD, projectiles and tear gas deployed into campus
7:55PM PDT: Resist g20: currently protesters are [very excited] on u pitt campus in oakland. Stay safe. /Police aren't playing, B safe
7:52PM PDT: G20 PGH: Riot Cops in Arrest Buses Headed to Shenley Plaza on Craig
7:50PM PDT: G20 Pgh Legal: One arrest just reported, riot cops rushing crowd at Forbes & Schenley
7:49PM PDT: Anarchists: POLICE BLAST STUDENTS ON PITT CAMPUS WITH SOUND CANNON (LRAD)
7:44PM PDT: G20 PGH: pigs calling for backup at bellefield and 5th
7:42PM PDT: G20 PGH: STUDENTS WARNED TO LEAVE SCHENLEY PLAZA OR RUN RISK OF ARREST
7:42PM PDT: G20 PGH: schenley plaza declared "illegal assembly," cops moving into position
7:41PM PDT: Resist G20: Oakland fire http://twitpic.com/j0puo
7:39PM PDT: Resist G20: Two S.W.A.T. trucks and seven or eight police SUVs just pulled into Schenley. The people stopped dancing
7:37PM PDT: G20 IMC Radio: 500 people marching. A McDonalds was damaged. (Possibly Bash Back march?)
7:36PM PDT: Resist G20: BBlock moving past hospital, mobile field force on way to 5th Ave
7:21PM PDT: Anarchists: Protesters chant, "Your sexy, your cute, take off your riot suit!"
7:17PM PDT: G20 PGH Legal: Two arrests so far at Schenley Park, police line still moving
7:16PM PDT: G20 PGH Legal: Seven arrestees just released from SCI Pittsburgh
7:14PM PDT: Resist G20: VIDEO: National Guard snatch people off the street http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8CNa_viKg0
6:58PM PDT: PDX IMC: We are on air bantering & restreaming G20 IMC radio when they're on. Contact us phone# 503 477 6887 AIM: Portlandimcradio Twitter: Portlandimc
6:46PM PDT: G20 IMC: This afternoon's protests included window damage to the Boston Market, KFC, & BMW dealerships located on Baum Blvd.
6:32PM PDT: G20 IMC: Tin Can Comms Collective was raided today. 2 arrested. Twitter account suspended for "strange activity". Names not in arrestee database.
6:03PM PDT: Resist G20: Police officers stationed near Schenley Park and Phipps Conservatory just received hundreds of water bottles
5:53PM PDT: G20 Action Alert: Police starting to depart Medic Center. Random intimidation? When the #g20 comes to #Pittsburgh, democracy goes out the window
5:41PM PDT: G20 Action Alert: Police surrounding Medic Center, 3028 Brereton Ave, and have shut down access. If you can help, please go over. 
5:39PM PDT: Resist G20: guns outside a presidential town hall=constitutional right, but protesters with signs and hoods 2 miles from G20 = tear gas time?
5:38PM PDT: G20 PGH Legal: 5 cop vans plus armored vehicle and at least 34 police officers at medic space in polish hill right now.
5:37PM PDT: Resist G20: Two more caravans of armored officers have arrived. Starting to become unsure which side has more
5:31PM PDT: G20 IMC Radio: Police blaming protesters for lack of permit, but has refused to issue any permits for protests.
5:22PM PDT: Resist G20: police are advancing, forcing crowd back. #g20 at schenley plaza adjacent to pitt.
5:16PM PDT: Resist G20: Police are attacking small groups of people at shenley plaza. Tear gas being used
5:14PM PDT: G20 PGH Legal: Currently we are tracking at least 23 arrests. It will be several hours before arraignments. Jail Vigil at 8 at Allegheny County Jail.
5:10PM PDT: Resist G20: Pigs protecting the corporate socialist (i.e.) fascist G-20 elite http://twitpic.com/izsvi
5:09PM PDT: Resist G20: call for nonviolent green and black contingent marching w/ climate contingent feeder tomorrow. 1130am in front of CMU
5:08PM PDT: Resist G20: Cabaret w/ David Rovics going on now at Desoto and 5th same spot as BASH BACK! March tonight @ 10pm
4:17PM PDT: G20 Action Alert: The #G20 has many hands of oppression, like #Pittsburgh police. But if anything is worth fighting for, it's a better world
4:15PM PDT: Resist G20: jail vigil 950 2nd ave, in downtown. starts at 8pm
4:15PM PDT: Resist G20: cops on horses are pushing the line back
4:08PM PDT: Resist G20: Police are pursuing bloc of about 50 on liberty ave / Baum, they have ordered no traffic from liberty bridge
3:48PM PDT: Report G20: POLICE TEARGAS CROWD OF PITT STUDENTS ON CAMPUS. STUDENTS RUN, CROWD REASSEMBLES 
3:47PM PDT: Resist G20: Students are slowly advancing on police. Within 300 ft now
3:44PM PDT: Resist G20: Students chanting "Show me what a police state looks like!" at line of cops on campus
3:39PM PDT: Resist G20: Lots of arrests being made at butler and 34
3:15PM PDT: G20 IMC: Ritter's Diner police attack http://indypgh.org/g20/#k-551da360d8018b27
3:14PM PDT: Resist G20: There will be a reconvergance spot! Stay in n oakland area
3:13PM PDT: Resist G20: National Guard troops in unmarked cars abducting people off the streets in Pittsburgh
2:49PM PDT: Act For Climate: Video of gas and Sound attack at the G20 http://socialistwebzine.blogspot.com/
2:45PM PDT: Resist G20/Act For Climate: National Guard in unmarked vans and gas masks are heading towards the Bloomfield Bridge
2:44PM PDT: G20 PGH Legal: 13 reported arrests, accounts still coming in. Arrests in multiple locations.
2:43PM PDT: G20 IMC Radio: Cow arrested on Bloomfield bridge. LRAD used again.
2:41PM PDT: Resist G20: police are firing rubber bullets at people outside of Ritter's diner
2:41PM PDT: Report G20: resist g20: police are firing rubber bullets at people outside of Ritter's diner
2:30PM PDT: ReportG20: saw people in military fatigues snatch a kid in a golden car 
2:22PM PDT: Act For Climate: rocks being thrown in bloomfield newsraw reports
2:19PM PDT: G20 PGH Legal: 1 arrest near Baum & Liberty--second known arrest today. Reports of police brutality
2:18PM PDT: Resist G20: cop reinforcements being sent to baum and morewood 
2:17PM PDT: #reportG20: Boston Market windows are busted 
2:17PM PDT: G20 Action Alert: One tweet beat reporter took a rubber bullet on the head, but she seems fine
2:16PM PDT: G20 Action Alert: About 15 min ago, police attacked line of people and beat a young man
2:13PM PDT: Resist G20: March reuniting at Morewood & Baum
2:12PM PDT: G20 IMC Radio: Again dispersal order addressed to "everyone in the area REGARDLESS OF PURPOSE"
2:08PM PDT: "MDPD" may be Miami-Dade PD
2:07PM PDT: Resist G20: teargas, rubber bullets, 1 arrest on baum and liberty beat people with batons, shot with rubber bul
2:05PM PDT: Resist G20: Bean bag bullets fired on Baum & Liberty
2:03PM PDT: G20 IMC Radio: 2 LRAD in position on Liberty Ave. Police have covered their names/id numbers.
1:58PM PDT: G20 IMC Radio: Police "MDPD" appear to be gearing up for mass arrests. 2 Port Authority transit buses. Mysterious boxes under arms.
1:53PM PDT: Go 2 Pittsburgh: 500 protesters in Lawrenceville
1:51PM PDT: Resist G20: 20 police cars and a school bus loaded with officers on penn and 34th in the strip district
1:48PM PDT: G20 IMC: Protesters leaving Friendship Park in Bloomfield towards Liberty Ave. for another march
1:47PM PDT: Anarchists: police are now marching against peaceful protesters in Lawrenceville claiming "unlawful assembly"
1:45PM PDT: Picture of LRAD (Long Range Audio Device) sonic weapon being used against protesters. http://twitpic.com/iz16n
1:41PM PDT: Resist G20: 40 cops, w/ bus, headed towards friendship park 
1:39PM PDT: G20 Action Alert: About 150 people assembled at Friendship Park, about 100 just walked back up
1:31PM PDT: Anarchists: protesters have successfully delayed the russian delegation
1:29PM PDT: Anarchists: Protesters near the spanked bank chased by pigz with dogs & bikes 
1:25PM PDT: PDX IMC: Definitely listen to the bad ass radio coverage here: http://indypgh.org/g20/#
1:24PM PDT: PDX IMC: What's all this protesting & smashy-smashy about? The "best coverage" is all right here: http://indypgh.org/g20/#
1:24PM PDT: #G20Twitter: police using long-range acoustic device on protestors, never before used in U.S
1:22PM PDT: A G20 protest coms station was raided but coms are still up & running. Because they're awesome, fuck the pigz!
1:17PM PDT: Act For Climate: CNN reporter tear gassed
1:15PM PDT: G20 Action Alert: About 15 min ago, police rolled up on remaining group of 200 and broke us into 3 directions.
1:11PM PDT: People from Daily Show spotted
1:11PM PDT: G20 Action Alert: Friendship Park, 4:30, new meeting point for those who still want to march but don't have another plan 
1:10PM PDT: Anarchists: Riot police all around the cathedral. 10 vans, threatening with dogs and less lethal guns. Probably 100+. Some people being detained.
1:10PM PDT: G20IMC: Reports of Tear Gas, LRAD Military Sound Weapons fired on protesters
1:09PM PDT: #G20: police and protesters clash, turning violent. 
1:03PM PDT: Anarchists: Bloomfield bank windows have been smashed/blown out.
1:02PM PDT: Act For Climate: Protesters boxed in at penn and 32Nd
12:58PM PDT: Anarchists: 100 protestors in Bloomfield on Liberty at Matilda heading toward Shadyside
12:58PM PDT: G20 PGH Legal: report of snatch and grab arrest at 32nd and smallman.
12:57PM PDT: G20 IMC Radio: The "PNC" & ATMs on Liberty Ave have been damaged with hammer
12:52PM PDT: Anarchists: 75 protestors from "Free Tibet" at Smithfield and Liberty are now face-to-face with riot police.
12:47PM PDT: Anarchists: ALL WITNESSES INCIDENTS Activist v Police SHOULD PHOTO/FILM VIA CAMERA PH & SEND2FRIEND call 412-562-5015
12:46PM PDT: Anarchists: Watch out @ 32nd & Liberty
12:44PM PDT: Resist G20: denny and liberty has 200 protesters rallying
12:43PM PDT: G20 Action Alert: Bloomfield & Liberty Ave, many still marching, loud & fun!
12:29PM PDT: Act For Climate: Officers ordered to mask up, protest changing routes.
12:28PM PDT: Anarchists: Traffic blocked 31st & tenth
12:27PM PDT: G20 Action Alert: Breakaway crowd just got tear-gassed, many walking up 39th from downtown
12:22PM PDT: G20 IMC: 1100 people march against G20 in Lawrenceville
12:21PM PDT: G20 IMC Radio: No arrests. Just attacks.
12:19PM PDT: G20 IMC Radio: Chemical weapons deployed. Tear gas.
12:18PM PDT: G20 IMC Radio: LRAD is the name of the sound weapon. Long Range Acoustic Device. People in homes being effected. 
12:16PM PDT: Act For Climate: Police playing awful earsplitting noise. Bad headache. Trying to find a way out of this area. Being led in a circle
12:15PM PDT: Act For Climate: Utter chaos. Groups heading into alley ways. Tipping dumpsters.
12:12PM PDT: Act For Climate: Cops driving up behind protest on Liberty Ave. Reports of microwave cannons being used at front.
12:09PM PDT: Act For Climate: PROTESTERS calling 4 Release of gaoled opposition leader #Birtukan Mikdessa
12:09PM PDT: Act For Climate: Demonstrators march from Grant St down 7th Ave protesting ethiopian leadership
12:07PM PDT: G20 Action Alert: A larger tributary march at Main St & Penn
12:04PM PDT: G20 IMC Radio: Dispersal order to everyone regardless of purpose. Police using sound weapons & microwave weapons.
12:02PM PDT: Resist G20: police have given a dispersal order at 36th and liberty and no one can hear the order
11:59AM PDT: They have microwave cannons set up on librerty. Watch urself Police pushing in on both sides. Shit is going down
11:46AM PDT: Protesters in Arsenal Park trying to march down to the Convention Center, but are being held by police. Crowds screaming "TEAR IT DOWN"
11:45AM PDT: Resist G20: no way to get from "strip district" to downtown. use 16th st bridge
11:44AM PDT: there are several hundred protesters crossing and marching 40th street bridge and then back into town
11:40AM PDT: G20 Action Alert: Student march update: People being kept in Arsenal park by police. Negotiations underway.
11:36AM PDT: Resist G20: Water cannons on 38th and liberty. Be careful 
11:31AM PDT: police blocking exit to park...protesters stuck inside so far. crowd is getting noisier
11:27AM PDT: Just the police and journalists on Liberty Ave reported at 11:24am
11:27AM PDT: Resist G20: Call in number for reports 412-567-1420 
11:25AM PDT: PDX IMC: Want to know why people are protesting? Great interviews can be found here in "G-Infinity Stories" box: http://indypgh.org/g20/# 
11:10AM PDT: Resist G20: Student March has ended at Arsenal Park
11:09AM PDT: Bike PGH: Downtown Pittsburgh is a very secure ghost town
11:04AM PDT: Global PGH: G20 "world leaders" arriving at Pittsburgh international
10:56AM PDT: G20 Action Alert: Larger tributary march at Main St & Penn Ave
10:50AM PDT: Resist G20: student march is making a left onto liberty, police helicopter over head and cops on the streets #students and #workers SHUT THE CITY DOWN
10:39AM PDT: G20 Legal: Scattered reports of cop harassment. Remember, always say: "I do not consent to a search." Legal # is: 412-444-3553.
10:38AM PDT: G20: Student march to join others at Arsenal Park. 
10:37AM PDT: G20: police staging at 21st and smallman near arsenal park
10:06AM PDT: Ha! NY Times announces G20 Infinity IMC website is best coverage of G20 in Pittsburgh 
9:49AM PDT: Portland IMC will be covering the G20 protests in Pittsburgh through breaking news & radio. For more info: http://indypgh.org/g20/# (NY Times says it's the best!)

Posted by Joe Anybody at 3:31 AM PDT

Updated: Sunday, 27 September 2009 3:48 AM PDT

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Mood:  loud

G20 Dispatch #4: While World Leaders Fly Away, Riot Cops Blast Away at U of Pitt

Posted by Joe Anybody at 1:51 AM PDT

Updated: Sunday, 27 September 2009 1:51 AM PDT

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Mood:  chatty

FOLLOW THE INFORMATION

COMING FROM PITTSBURGH IMC ON

PORTLAND INDY MEDIA POSTED - here

^{http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ia0wVU3RHkI&feature=player_embedded}

http://socialistwebzine.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/g20imc  Twitter Account at the G20

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/24/getting-out-the-anti-globalization-message/?hp   NY Times article “Getting Out the Anti-Globalization Message”

http://indypgh.org/g20/#k-877a0dc3afd39bbf  Indy Media in Pittsburgh

(RSS FEED) à http://ginfinity.pghimc.libsynpro.com/rss

http://radio.indypgh.org/  Streaming Radio from Indy media in Pittsburgh

 MP3 Lo

http://twitter.com/SocialistZine Socialist Twitter account LIVE at G20

LIVE at G20 fell free to add any related links in the comment section below 

((( i )))

PORTLAND INDY MEDIA IS POSTING BREAKING NEWS HERE

http://portland.indymedia.org/en/breakingnews/

 -- twitter reposts posted at 10:20am (PST) 9.24.09  --

cops loaded into budget rent-a-vans 14 minutes ago from web

protest march headed to upitt 14 minutes ago from web     

march of 100 protesters from Schenely Plaza 16 minutes ago from web     

huge group of riot cops at Schenely Plaza 21 minutes ago from web

Street medics and legal observers have arrived at Schenely Plaza - G20 Pittsburgh  34 minutes ago from web

Posted by Joe Anybody at 8:00 AM PDT

Updated: Thursday, 24 September 2009 3:21 PM PDT

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Mood:  on fire

'One peep away from getting shot'

By Steve Duin, The Oregonian

September 23, 2009, 6:51PM

Posted by Joe Anybody at 11:58 PM PDT

Updated: Thursday, 24 September 2009 5:23 PM PDT

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