A hellish scene

As a proud Pittsburgher and Pitt law student, I was ecstatic about the G-20 coming to Pittsburgh. I welcomed the visiting police with open arms and encouraged their get-tough techniques in order to prevent vandalism. That is, until Friday night.

On my way home from the Pirates game, I stopped in Oakland to pick up some books. Finding the law building locked, I asked some nearby riot police if there was a way in. They responded rudely, telling me to get out of Oakland because "things were about to get ugly." I had no idea how right they would be.

Over the next two hours, I witnessed nothing short of hell. In attempting to reach my home in Squirrel Hill, I was yelled at, chased and threatened by police. Every officer gave me conflicting advice, until finally riot police on Fifth Avenue surrounded me. The police pumped and aimed their rubber bullet guns and launched OC gas. No one in the area was protesting; it was just a bunch of curious kids.

I finally resorted to walking all the way home. I have never been so shocked and disappointed in my life. This weekend I wanted the city to shine its brightest, but after Friday, I could not tell whether I was in Tehran or Pittsburgh.

 

BETH HACKNEY
Squirrel Hill