WASHINGTON -- Pittsburgh's leaders came to the nation's capital this morning to sell the national press on the city's turnaround, but in what could be foreshadowing for the upcoming G20 summit, protesters got in the way.

Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and County Executive Dan Onorato gave their pitch about Pittsburgh's post-steel revival: building around the universities with technology, creating green jobs and developing a public-private partnership, the latter highlighted by Dennis Yablonsky of the Allegheny Conference.

But as Mr. Ravenstahl delivered opening remarks to about 30 reporters and photographers, a trio of gagged protesters spread a banner behind him that read: "Why is the greenest city silencing green voices?" They were ordered out by Catherine DeLoughry, head of communications for the Allegheny Conference, and escorted from the National Press Club building.

Several minutes later, two more youths unfurled a similar banner and were, again, escorted from the building. According to Morgan Goodwin, 25, an organizer who works with the protesters, the group is trying to call attention to climate policy and is upset that the city has been slow to grant protest permits. Mr. Goodwin said the climate change activists sponsored by Avaaz.org, a global activist Web site.

The demonstrations briefly derailed Mr. Ravenstahl, but he pressed on and noted that his office granted eight protest permits, and the ones that are still in limbo must be reconciled with the Secret Service perimeter around the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.

Mr. Ravenstahl said that next week he will announce sites within sight and sound of the convention center that will be available for protest.

Mr. Goodwin said he and his climate change crew from Avaaz plan to march from Oakland to Downtown as part of the Thomas Merton Center protest, but city officials have not approved the group's request to march to 10th and Liberty avenues.

Mr. Onorato, meanwhile, tried to return the focus to the region's economic success.

"Too bad our friends had to leave, because we have a lot of green jobs in southwestern Pennsylvania," Mr. Onorato said.

Once the floor was opened up for questions from reporters -- including representatives from major newspapers, wire services and television stations -- many queries focused on the city's plans for the protesters.

Afterward, Mr. Ravenstahl said he was pleased with the chance to sell the media on Pittsburgh and looked forward to continuing it during the week of the summit, scheduled for Sept. 24-25. And how the city treats its in-town and visiting protesters will have a major impact on its post-summit profile.

"It is a concern of ours that the activity, protests, et cetera will outshine or overshadow the good story of Pittsburgh, but all we can do is continue to tell it and all we can do is make sure that those protesters are given the ability to have their First Amendment rights heard," the mayor said.

"If we give them that opportunity, if we treat them respectfully, if we provide permits for them, I think they will have a good, positive experience in Pittsburgh, and that will only enhance our ability to get that positive story out."