Pittburgh bans certain items during G-20 summit

[The Straight Story]

Pittburgh bans certain items during G-20 summit

The Associated Press

PITTSBURGH - Out of concern for protests during the G-20 summit, Pittsburgh City Council has passed a temporary law banning certain items that have been used by protesters to resist crowd control.

The ordinance, which passed Wednesday by an 8-1 vote, expires Sept. 30. It allows police to cite anyone possessing items including gas masks, padlocks, gasoline and rotten eggs, among other items, if the officer believes that person is planning to try to block public areas or resist crowd control.

Public Safety Director Michael Huss says the items on the list were chosen because they have been used by disruptive protesters at similar events in other cities.

Councilman William Peduto cast the lone vote against the ordinance. He says existing state laws are sufficient to deal with protesters.

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