PITTSBURGH -- Despite some downtown streets being closed, a rally for clean energy jobs attracted a few thousand people to Pittsburgh's Point State Park on the eve of
the G-20 economic summit.
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers and Kathy Mattea were among the acts playing the "Clean Energy Jobs Now" event downtown.
"We're trying to send a message with this event. Obviously the leaders of the world, the G-20 countries, are coming to Pittsburgh tomorrow. Energy and climate are on the agenda for that meeting," said Alan Meyer, of the Union of Concerned Scientists.
Slideshow:Rockers, Politicians, Unions Rally For Clean Energy At PointMembers of the United Steelworkers and other unions were in attendance, and speeches were given by Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato and Gov. Ed Rendell.
"Just think for a minute if every person in the world, every business in the world, every manufacturer in the world, every building in the world reduced energy consumption by 4 percent," said Rendell.
The message of the rally is that Pennsylvania government can create as many as 70,000 jobs by creating policy to support more green industry.
Small organization hoping to get their points across could be seen throughout the day with signs reading "Our climate is not your busine$$" could be seen.
One group was advertising a "SurvivaBall," a protective device they say the world's inhabitants will be forced to live in.
"I'll be wearing it pretty much for the rest of my life and the rest of eternity once climate change gets worse. It looks like that could be within the next 5 to 10 years. We're already seeing all the impacts of climate change," said one protestor.
It's the final stop of the "Made in America" jobs tour that has visited 22 states, sponsored by the Alliance for Climate Protection, the United Steelworkers and the Blue Green Alliance.
"A recent report by the Blue Green Alliance showed that Pennsylvania stands to gain more than 42,000 manufacturing jobs in wind, solar, geothermal and biomass by instituting a renewable electricity standard," said a news release for the event from Repower America.
President Barack Obama and other world leaders will travel to Pittsburgh for the G-20, scheduled for Thursday and Friday at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.
Related Link: Understanding The G-20
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 Copyright 2009 by ThePittsburghChannel. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
