AUG. 28, 2026 – Protesters on the Flint Street overpass ahead of the G20 Finance Track meetings taking place this weekend in Asheville. (Photo credit: WLOS Staff)
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) —Today, protests in Asheville are starting against the G20 Finance Track meetings taking place this weekend.
The meeting at the Omni Grove Park Inn will host G20 finance ministers and central bank governors from 20 countries, including the United States.
One of WNC Alignment’s protests includes a “People Over Profits” event featuring banner drops on bridges in Asheville in the following areas:
- Hill Street Pedestrian Bridge
- Montford
- Flint Street overpass
- Charlotte Street
WNC Alignment said today’s banner drops will include targeted messaging at overpasses along Interstate 240 and Interstate 26 from Charlotte Street to Asheville Regional Airport.
ASHEVILLE BECOMES STAGE FOR G20 TALKS AND LOCAL DEBATE OVER STALLED HELENE RECOVERY FUNDS
Protesters above I-240 in Asheville, near Exit 4C, the Haywood Street, Montford Avenue area, ahead of the G20 Finance Track meetings taking place this weekend in Asheville. (Photo credit: WLOS Staff)
In organizational materials, organizers said they want to “raise awareness about our local recovery, its ongoing challenges and how these struggles are linked to struggles across the globe” following Helene. They also said they are highlighting climate change and its connection to natural disasters such as Helene.
The group is also hosting a 6:30 p.m. press conference in Pack Square Plaza, next to the Asheville Art Museum.
The G20, or Group of 20, is an international forum that brings together the world’s major advanced and emerging economies to discuss and coordinate economic policy. According to the meeting’s Miami website, G20 members account for about 85% of global gross domestic product (GDP) and two-thirds of the world’s population.
The Asheville meetings are leading up to a final G20 meeting during President Donald Trump’s Leaders Summit in Dec.
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This story will be updated.
