Organizers of peaceful protests deserve credit

I am writing to remind the people of Pittsburgh that 19 out of 20 of the recent protests regarding the G-20 remained peaceful, not in spite of, but because of the efforts of the organizers, including many creative Pittsburghers. A number of educational forums were offered in the week prior to the G-20, allowing us to become informed and develop an understanding of what all the fuss was about.

Specific workshops on nonviolent civil protest were offered and an intention was created to remain educated and determined yet peaceful. Artists also found ways to express the needs of the vulnerable people of the world who seem left out of the solutions the G-20 offers.

While many inconveniences happened, this was overall a wonderful opportunity for our city to engage in meaningful dialogue and to learn from many points of view. I hope we continue to be the "world-class" city that we are, aware of and seeking creative solutions for a peaceful and just world beyond our city or county borders, allowing ourselves to hear the voices of concern that are often overlooked.

The local organizers of the peaceful protests deserve our credit for creating opportunities for education and action.

 

DANA ELMENDORF
Monroeville