PITTSBURGH -- Eight climate activists from Greenpeace dangled off the West End Bridge in Pittsburgh, high over the Ohio River, with a large sign calling for change on a windy, rainy Wednesday morning.
The banner was hung from the underside of the bridge, one day before world leaders were due to arrive in Pittsburgh for
the G-20 economic summit at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.
Related Link: Understanding The G-20Each of the protesters was attached to a rope hooked onto a railing on the bridge. Their sign said "Climate Destruction Ahead" and "Reduce CO2 Emissions Now."
After about two hours -- during which time police stayed in contact with them -- the protesters climbed up their ropes and returned safely to the bridge deck and were taken to the Allegheny County Jail.
Pittsburgh Police Assistant Chief William Bochter said charges will include possession of an instrument of crime, defiant trespass, disorderly conduct and obstruction of traffic.
Police also handcuffed a person who was on the bridge deck and said he will be charged with conspiracy for allegedly helping to plan the action. He told Team 4 investigator Jim Parsons that he's from New York and that the protesters want President Barack Obama to deal with climate issues during the G-20 this week.
By phone, protest organizer Damon Moglen told Channel 4 Action News that "Greenpeace is here to get a message out about climate change, and I think that people in Pittsburgh realize how important this issue is. This is a city that has a reputation for various green initiatives, and that's a terrific history that they're developing, so I think this is a message that people in Pittsburgh can really appreciate."
Moglen did not comment when asked if other actions were planned for G-20 week in Pittsburgh.
Several city police cars and ambulances were stationed on the bridge during the protest. No injuries were reported and traffic was shifted into other lanes and allowed to flow in each direction.
Five other people wearing Greenpeace shirts were arrested for allegedly trying to stage a similar protest on the Fort Pitt Bridge. WTAE Channel 4's Shannon Perrine reported that they had helmets, rappelling gear and duffel bags.
"The time for talk is over," said one woman, while she was placed into a city police van. "We need our leaders to take action now, to fund climate change solutions, to cut emissions and to ensure that we have a better world for our children instead of a world filled with global warming impacts."
On Wednesday evening, authorities confirmed the names of those arrested as:
West End Bridge
Kelly Osbourne, 40, of Oklahoma City, Ok. Jeanne Kirshon, 22, of Washington, D.C. Chelsea Ritter-Soronen, 22, of Columbus, Oh. John Shumaker, 37, of Washington, D.C. Adam Conlin, 23, of Washington, D.C. Daniel Cassettari, 24, of Park Ridge, Il. David Pomerantz, 24, of Cambridge, Mass. Alexis Soto, 26, of Los Angeles, Ca. Hayden Llewellyn, 30, of Portland, Or.Fort Pitt Bridge
Jonathan Batchelor, 31, of Portland, Or. Benjamin Smith, 29, of San Francisco, Ca. Kelly Mitchell, 24, of Chicago, Il. Elizabeth Donahue, 19, of Poway, Ca. Thomas Cohen, 42, of Oakland, Ca.Video - 
Would-Be Fort Pitt Bridge Protesters Arrested
What Is The G-20?
G-20 -- the Group of 20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors -- was established in 1999 "to bring together systemically important industrialized and developing economies to discuss key issues in the global economy," according to its Web site, G20.org.
Countries from all over the world -- including the U.S., Canada, China, France, Germany, India, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and Russia -- are involved in the G-20 summit.
The gathering typically attracts a variety of protestors from around the world. In April, London saw mostly peaceful protests about economic policy, the banking system and bankers' bonuses, climate change concerns and the war on terror.
Photo Slideshow: World Leaders, Protests At G-20 SummitDuring the last G-20, a peaceful protest dubbed "Financial Fools' Day" was held April 1 by the Pittsburgh Organizing Group, a local anarchist group. Members and supporters gathered in Market Square before marching around downtown, stopping at several banks and government offices.
More Info: What Is G-20?Official Web Site: PittsburghG20.org
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