G-20 security worries civil rights groups

PITTSBURGH, June 28 (UPI) -- Civil rights groups say they're worried security efforts for the Group of 20 meeting in Pittsburgh will squelch free speech and peaceful protest rights.

Pittsburgh Police Chief Nate Harper said he hopes to have more than 4,000 officers on hand for the Sept. 24-25 international summit and security planning already has begun, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported Sunday. Harper said Pittsburgh police would seek help from law enforcement agencies throughout Pennsylvania and other major U.S. cities, as well as state police departments from surrounding states.

The beefed up security worries some free-speech advocates and members of groups that are planning to protest the economic policies of G-20 leaders, the newspaper reported.

"When you have reports of huge numbers of police coming in, it suggests they plan to cordon off much of Pittsburgh and prevent meaningful protest," said Jules Lobel, a University of Pittsburgh law professor. "Hopefully, that's not what they're planning."

Security concerns must be balanced with First Amendment rights, Lobel said.

"If there are law violators, the police ought to arrest them, but not arrest hundreds of other people," he said.

A group of 60 "anarchists, radicals and anti-authoritarians" gathered to organize the Pittsburgh G-20 Resistance Project, the Post-Gazette reported.

Preparations were under way for "A People's Summit," Sept. 21-22, with speeches and panel discussions related to the G-20, organizers said.