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400 Busted in RNC Protest

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 5, 2008 7:49 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Nearly 400 anti-war demonstrators were arrested last night in clashes with police near the Republican convention, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports. Officers in riot gear with snowplows, horses, and dump trucks blocked bridges and used tear gas and pepper spray when the protesters attempted to march from the Capitol, the site of an afternoon demonstration, to the Xcel Center.

The demonstrators' permit expired at 5pm, but many refused police orders to disperse.
“They chose not to leave when told to do so and now everyone's paying the price,” one officer told the Star-Tribune. “They're trying to steal our protest—we have to ignore the police intimidation,” called out one demonstrator. Over a dozen media members were also held and released later in the evening; two AP reporters were issued citations.

A protester carries a John McCain doll during a protest at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008.
A protester carries a John McCain doll during a protest at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008.   (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Police push people back after a person was arrested during a protest at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008.
Police push people back after a person was arrested during a protest at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008.   (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Police on horseback stand ready after a protest march that went through the downtown streets ended in a Sears parking lot at the RNC in St. Paul, Minn., Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008.
Police on horseback stand ready after a protest march that went through the downtown streets ended in a Sears parking lot at the RNC in St. Paul, Minn., Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008.   (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
A group of people are detained after a protest through the streets of downtown at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008.
A group of people are detained after a protest through the streets of downtown at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008.   (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
A woman is arrested during a protest at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2008.
A woman is arrested during a protest at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2008.   (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
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More on the confrontation
Los Angeles Times

Fewer arrests than at '04 RNC
Washington Times

Rage Against the Machine fans improvise protest
MTV

 
police • anti war movement • St. Paul • political demonstrations • protesters • Republican National Convention

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