Greenpeace Protesters Dangle From West End Bridge

The environmental group Greenpeace unfurled a banner below the heavily traveled West End Bridge and nine representatives of the group have been arrested Wednesday.

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Dozens of police officers in the air, on the ground and on the bridge moved in shortly after the protesters were spotted.

Pittsburgh Police Assistant Chief William Bochter said eight of the nine people arrested will be charged with various misdemeanors. A ninth person is being charged with conspiracy.

Greenpeace is urging action from President Barack Obama and the other leaders coming to the city for the G-20 summit.

The banner warned of the danger to the planet's climate from carbon dioxide emissions. It was unfurled Wednesday morning at about 10:30 a.m. below the West End Bridge and remained visible for a couple of hours over the Ohio River.

Four protesters dangled from the bridge with the large 80-foot-by- 30-foot sign that read, "Danger -- Climate Destruction Ahead. Reduce CO2 Emissions Now."

Their weight is what kept the banner open.

Police negotiated with four members who were tied to the railing...protecting the ropes as four other members held the banner in place.

Traffic continued to flow across the bridge as usual and it did not appear that officials would shut down the West End Bridge.

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"It is imperative that developed world leaders do not fail again in Pittsburgh. They must put money on the table to support developing countries," said Damon Moglen, Greenpeace USA's global warming campaign director. "It is also critical for G-20 leaders agree to kick-start economic recovery through clean energy investment. Both of these elements are vital to achieve a good deal in Copenhagen and avert catastrophic climate change."

Greenpeace member Gabe Fishnesky said the activists are "trying to set the tone for the G-20."

"It's on the list of things to talk about for the leaders of the world's biggest economies, what to do about climate change," said Fishnesky. "These activists are here to make sure they take that issue seriously. More than just talking, leaders of these countries, especially like the U.S., put some money on the table."

Fishnesky then weighed in on how long the activists planned to stay there.

"At this point, that's a negotiation between the authorities and the activists, you know," said Fishnesky. "Greenpeace, these activists are skilled, experienced climbers, and the authorities tend to rely on us to be safe and always nonviolent. At this point, it's a conversation between the two of them."

Channel 11 reporter Rick Earle pointed out to Fishnesky that the protest was dramatic and dangerous. He asked Fishnesky why Greenpeace was taking it to the extreme.

"Well, too often climate change is thought of as a political issue," said Fishnesky. "A little bit of give and take, a little bit of progress is good enough. That's not the reality of the science. The science is pretty clear. If we don't make some real, dramatic reductions to our global warming pollution now, we're going to be handing a dangerous planet to our children and grandchildren."

During the protest, other arrests were made in downtown Pittsburgh. A group of three men and two women representing Greenpeace were taken quietly into custody by officers in Point State Park.

VIDEO: Protesters Arrested In Downtown Pittsburgh

The group was transported to the processing center where they will be charged, authorities said.

Police confiscated the group's backpacks and took them into custody on the deck of the Fort Pitt Bridge, where they were planning to rappel off the side in protest, similar to what happened on the West End Bridge.

Police confiscated the banner dropped from the West End Bridge and charged the protesters with trespassing, obstructing traffic and disorderly conduct.