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Finally we too arrive in Pittsburgh one day before the start of the official summit. We travelled for nine hours in the extremely cold air-conditioned train from New York across New Jersey and Pennsylvania, through spacious corn fields, cattle pastures and through Amish settlements. On our way from the railway station to our accommodation we passed parts of fences which are to be set-up tomorrow and which will cut-off downtown Pittsburgh.

A lot is planned for the coming days, there is wide range of workshops on offer and many possibilities to participate in the most different actions and events, ranging from Radical Carolling (singing of popular songs with new lyrics) over a demonstration by bicycle (Critical Mass Bike Caravan) to panels with well-know persons like Joseph Stieglitz. For Friday, the final day of the official summit, a big demonstration with giant puppets and a marching band is announced, with a broad spectre of organisations joining. An ambitious police mobilisation is going to accompany us through the coming days, even the US National Guard is going to be in Pittsburgh – hopefully it will not encroach on our constructive discussions and peaceful demonstrating. Let’s go!

(translated by Paul Woods, Coorditrad)