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Protesters clash with police before Tuesday march; more arrests
ST. PAUL, Minn. -- A protest march through downtown St. Paul on the second day of the Republican National Convention started and ended in fireworks. In between, there was, for the most part, a peaceful demonstration. More than a thousand people took part in the march, sponsored by the Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign. They chanted for an end to the war in Iraq and for economic justice for the poor. At least three people were arrested during a tense march that ended near the Xcel Energy Center. Police used tear gas and flash-bang grenades to disperse protesters they said were trying to get past security fences. As protesters gathered at Mears Park prior to the march, they clashed briefly with police officers on horseback, resulting in a handful of arrests. At least one demonstrator was tasered by officers as he lay on the ground, drawing an angry response from the crowd. Police in riot gear lined the marchers' four-mile route through downtown St. Paul, past both the Ramsey County Law Enforcement Center and Minnesota State Capitol. Ramsey County Sheriff Robert Fletcher defended the large police presence by pointing to the damage during protests on the previous day. Fletcher estimates 200 "anarchists" are among the 284 people arrested Monday. While most of those anarchists remain in jail, Fletcher believes another 300 anarchists are still in town and looking for trouble, possibly by infiltrating otherwise peaceful protests put on by others. "Typically a lot of these anarchist groups - criminals, they love to operate as anonymous people," said Fletcher. "When the masks go up, or when the crowds are large enough, or when it's under the cover of darkness that's when they do their damage." When several dozen protesters lingered near the Xcel Energy Center security fence at the conclusion of the march, police issued an order for the crowd disperse, then released tear gas and flash-bang grenades. Another rowdy rally is planned at the site of the Republican Convention Wednesday. Protesters are promising their often confrontational actions will pick back up until the convention ends Thursday.
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