G20 Summit - Monday

Written By Justin Merriman
Protesters with Avaaz, a group focused on global climate issues, demonstrates on the corner of 7th and Penn Avenue on Monday, September 21, 2009 in Downtown Pittsburgh. The demonstrators Sam Daly, 23, of Madison, WI., Gabriel Schwartzman, 18, of Washington D.C., and Kristiane Skolmen, 22, of Seattle, WA., respectfully dressed up as world leaders, President Barack Obama, Prime Minister Gordon Brown of Great Britain and Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany. The protest, titled as "a wake up call to G20 leaders" called on the leaders for a fair, ambitious, and binding global climate treaty. Next month, after the G-20, there will be a meeting of world leaders in Copenhagen, and they're hopeful the talks here will result in a global warming treaty.
David German, 18, of Rock Creek, WV., dressed as "coal power" dances with Ryan Olander, 25, dressed as a "wind power" during a demonstration on the North Shore on Monday afternoon, September 21, 2009 protesting the use of coal.
David German, 18, of Rock Creek, WV., dressed as "coal" dances through a group of demonstrators on Monday afternoon, September 21, 2009 during a demonstration on the North Shore protesting the use of coal.
Jessica McPherson, 29, of Garfield blocks a Just Ducky Tours vehicle, carrying individuals who work in the coal industry, on Monday afternoon, September 21, 2009 during a demonstration protesting the use of coal along the North Shore .

Here are a few photos from my coverage of the G20 Summit in Pittsburgh on Monday, September 21, 2009.
Justin Merriman

Justin Merriman is a freelance photojournalist, commercial photographer, licensed drone pilot, and filmmaker based in Pittsburgh. His career began in Southwestern Pennsylvania, where he worked as a newspaper photographer dedicated to community storytelling and politics. Since then, his work has been recognized with regional, national, and international awards and has appeared in publications around the world.

After covering the crash of United Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, on September 11, 2001, Merriman committed to documenting the U.S. military’s War on Terror, reporting from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, and across the United States. His international assignments have also included life in Fidel Castro’s Cuba, India’s campaign to eradicate polio, the aftermath of Haiti’s 2010 earthquake, Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to Cuba in 2012, the 2013 conclave that elected Pope Francis in Rome, the second anniversary of Egypt’s revolution, Russia’s 2014 invasion of Crimea, and the uncertain future of Guantanamo Bay in 2015. That same year, he traveled the full U.S.–Mexico border to document immigration issues.

In addition to photography, Merriman works as a director and filmmaker, creating recent films on refugees in Turkey, Jordan, India, and South Africa.

Closer to home, he frequently covers stories across Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia, focusing on the intersections of economic, environmental, and political life. Most recently, he reported on the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, and its impact on the community.

Born in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, Merriman graduated from the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg with a B.A. in English Writing. In 2009, the university awarded him its prestigious Alumnus of Distinction award. He is a founding member of Argo Collective, a group of photographers sharing diverse visions of America. He lives outside Pittsburgh with his wife, Stephanie Strasburg, a photojournalist with PublicSource.

http://www.justinmerriman.com
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