Tear gas fired at G20 demonstrators
Police fired tear gas and plastic bullets at G20 protestors
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The latest G20 summit will take place in Pittsburgh today, with the global economic crisis the main theme for discussion. |  |
Friday, 25, Sep 2009 09:00
By Richard James.
Police have fired tear gas and plastic bullets at protestors attempting to march to the convention centre where the G20 summit is taking place in Pittsburgh.
Hundreds of people are reported to have attempted to make their way towards the centre where world leaders are meeting for two days of high-profile talks on the economic crisis.
The last G20 summit, held in London, was also marred by serious violence with numerous clashes between protestors and the police.
There was also huge controversy in April when a news vendor collapsed and died shortly after coming into contact with police officers near the Bank of England during the summit, with large numbers of others people complaining of police brutality.
Security had been ramped up for this week's summit in Pittsburgh, with thousands of additional police officers brought into the US city to help control the anti-G20 protests.
Tall steel fencing has also been erected along streets around the convention centre where world leaders are meeting.
Reports suggest around 300 people attempted to stage the unauthorised march on Thursday night. They were met, however, with several hundred police officers who deployed tear gas to push the crowd back.