Teargas used on protesters at G20 summit in Pittsburgh

Police fire teargas after trash cans are rolled toward officers and road blocked as about 300 attend unauthorised march

A protester kicks a teargas canister fired by police during a protest before the start of the G20 summit in Pittsburgh Photograph: Carlos Barria/Reuters

Police used teargas in clashes with protesters as leaders gathered at the G20 summit in Pittsburgh tonight.

About 300 protesters attended the march, which was not authorised by the city police. Police numbered several hundred.

Protesters rolled trash bins toward police and officers fired teargas in return. Some protesters used pallets and corrugated steel to block a road.

Protesters exposed to the gas were coughing, complaining of eyes watering and stinging.

The march does not have a city permit and police have declared it an unlawful assembly.

Several hundred protesters, many loudly denouncing capitalism, had been trying to march toward the site of the summit.

The group split into smaller groups after being confronted by police.

The gathering of G20 nations represents 90% of the world's economic output and two thirds of the global population. Leaders were greeted by huge signs declaring "Pittsburgh welcomes the world" in multiple languages.

On the city's heavily fortified streets, soldiers in armoured Humvees were posted at most major junctions and scores of shops, restaurants and businesses were boarded up. The city's downtown area, known as the "golden triangle", was virtually deserted with most local people opting to stay home from work.

Andrew Clark in Pittsburgh and agencies
guardian.co.uk, Thursday 24 September 2009 21.16 BST

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