Padlocks, Rotten Eggs, Other Items Banned During G-20

September 17, 2009

If you plan on being in downtown Pittsburgh during the G20 meeting, leave your eggs at home.
I know this is a major disappointment to anyone who likes to carry a Rocky Balboa breakfast on the go, but I guess the powers that be need to make us feel safe from… something. Pittsburgh City Council has passed a temporary law banning certain items that have been used by protesters. The ordinance, which passed Wednesday by an 8-1 vote, expires Sept. 30. It allows police to cite anyone possessing items including gas masks, padlocks, gasoline and rotten eggs, among other items. I hope combination locks are OK because I was going to bike around town next week and may want to lock up somewhere.
Local news has also been repeatedly playing a report of a large PVC pipe with “Red Zone Robotics” painted on it. The pipe appears to be what they are calling a “Sleeping Dragon” which protestors might use to reinforce human barriers. Boy, those folks at Red Zone are going to be confused when they go to get their pipe. That drainage project will have to wait.