Obama: G-20 protests in Pittsburgh were comparatively mild

Obama: G-20 summit in Pittsburgh was fairly calm

PITTSBURGH — President Barack Obama says the G-20 summit in Pittsburgh was relatively tranquil and protesters should realize that world leaders are trying to shape a global economy that helps poor people.

Obama told reporters Friday that previous world summits drew far more protesters than the several thousand who clashed with police this week in Pittsburgh.

The president said many of the protesters oppose capitalism and free markets in general. He said they are free to express their views but he disagrees with them.

Obama said the G-20 leaders agreed to economic policies that should create world markets that help workers and poor people have more stable and prosperous lives.