CNN reporter hit with tear gas @ G-20

[lurkey]

I've watched the video and on the surface it is disturbing. However, do we know who all were students just watching from their staircase and who might be protesters that had taken refuge in a private residence hall trying to get away from police because they had broken the law? Police do not have the luxury of sitting on the side and watching everything to make some of their decisions like we do. Usually, many of the protesters in demonstrations such as those mounted at events like the G20 summit are "professional" protesters that travel just to try and disrupt the proceedings. They are not above breaking the law to cause that disruption and have shown that over and over. I'm not saying there is any way that peoples rights should be violated, but once again, it is easy for us to sit on the sideline and make judgments, but we may not know all the circumstances involved. If there were rights violations then the police should be held accountable, but I have my doubts if there will be any formal complaints filed.

I hope there is an extensive investigation by city, state and federal authorities about what happened here. . . professional protesters maybe, but the alleged force used on "non-professional" protesters and innocent bystanders shouldn't be allowed and re-examination of decision-making in this types of situations should be done. . .

[canetracker]

Another great video. The most interesting part is the robocop march..
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akwjAjcQnqM[/youtube]

[tomboudreau]

I'm not going to say whats on my mind as it very well could get my banned from this site forever. I will say this...the police response was completely necessary. I believe the groups that protested in Oakland at PITT and in Lawrenceville did not have permits to protest. These groups were rejected by the county and the city to get the permits. What are the police suppose to do...let these people walk down the street and smash the windows of every business along the way? Let them cause a civil disturbance? Let these people walk all over the place and do whatever they want? Let them continue to protest, days after the event is over? Yes...there were STILL protests in Oakland, at least there was one Saturday night that went into Sunday morning. Maybe the next summit should be held in your town/city/state/etc and see how you feel about the police presence when the protestors come. Everyone is quick to jump to say that the police were out of line and that its not the protestors fault for anything. I was opposed to having this summit here in Pittsburgh. I didnt want it here because after looking at what happened in London and Seattle and Chicago, I had a feeling this could turn into a big cluster. I didn't want to see this wonderful and beautiful city to be trashed because of a handful of protestors. This city is standing on its own without having to show it off to the rest of the world. It has gotten out from underneath the smokey and dirty image it had when it was all about the steel industry. And now, its getting another black eye because of what others feel is inapproriate activity by the police.