G-20 protests

Instead of portraying G-20 protesters as jackasses who throw public tantrums over unspecified grievances ("If You Are Revolting, Stay Away From Pittsburgh," June 10, Reg Henry column), why doesn't the Post-Gazette interview opponents of global free trade agreements, find out what their grievances are and report it?

Four days before Mr. Henry's article trashing G-20 protesters, the Peruvian government opened fire on hundreds of indigenous people who were protesting laws to open up the Amazon to exploitation by multi-national companies. At least 60 people were killed and about 150 wounded. The laws were passed in order to bring Peru into compliance with the U.S.-Peru Free Trade Agreement.

Let's not forget that the same global economic and trade policies that will be the subject of the G-20 meeting devastated our local economy a generation ago. These so-called "free trade" policies made it possible for investment banks to pull financing from marginally profitable U.S. steel companies and invest in more highly profitable plants overseas.

It took decades of hard work for the people of Pittsburgh to rebuild, and we still haven't fully recovered. Now the architects of those policies want to come here and showcase the fact that we've somehow managed to survive? Thanks, but no thanks.

In light of the devastation that the G-20's global economic model has wreaked on our manufacturing base, I for one will be disappointed if Pittsburghers don't come together and (peacefully, non-violently) shut it down.

ROBERT DAMEWOOD
Mount Washington