Posted by CODEPINK Staff
SEPTEMBER 21ST AND 22, POINT STATE PARK, PITTSBURGH

Our initial vision was for a week long, overnight tent city. This vision faced challenges from restrictions on overnight camping, and city secret service plans for use of the park. The layering-on of these restrictions, the inconsistency of their application, and evidence that other events did not preclude our use of the park led us into federal court action. Represented by the ACLU and the Center for Constitutional Rights, with Francine Porter speaking for the Women’s Coalition, we requested an injunction against the city to require the city to stop presenting obstacles for our use of the park. Prior to the lawsuit, the Women’s Coalition had modified the request from a week of overnight camping to two days of daytime use of the park. Our lawsuit was successful and on September 21st the Women’s Tent City set up encampment early at Point State Park.

In spite of rain from drizzle to downpours, we had two days of excellent presentations and discussions on the impact of globalization, war, economic imperialism, and economic displacement on women’s lives. On both days we enjoyed lunch by Seeds of Peace and Everybody’s Kitchen. Although traffic was lighter than usual for Point State Park, a number of passers-by stopped for literature and conversation. We also were very pleased with the media coverage that let the city and country know that there was an active women’s anti-war group in Pittsburgh. In a September 21st article in the Pittsburgh Trib Review, Carl Prine writes, "most of the organizers are women, reflecting a shift in Pittsburgh's peace movement toward female leadership". See entire article here.

The G 20 may be over, but our important work continues. "Now is an important time for activists to continue speaking out about the imperialistic wars being funded and supported by our government," says Francine Porter from Codepink. It's up to women to continue to raise awareness and pressure Congress about the imperialistic wars launched by our country in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the continual support of military and financial aid to Israel to continual the bruit al occupation against Palestine.
Article written by Claudia Detwiler with editing contributions by Susan Smith and Francine Porter. To get involved with women in Pittsburgh working for peace, e mail [email protected] or call 412-389-3216.
Photos by Lee Calhoon and Francine Porter
See all photos here.