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Police Clash with Demonstrators, Make Arrests at RNC
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ShareSeptember 04, 2008 11:17 PM
ABC News' Jennifer Duck and Lindsey Ellerson Report: Police arrested hundreds of anti-war protesters outside of the Republican convention hall Thursday night in St. Paul. Over 1,000 demonstrators marched from the State Capitol to the Xcel Energy Center, where tens of the thousands of Republican delegates and party elite gathered to hear Sen. John McCain's acceptance speech.
Police in riot gear swarmed the area outside the convention center, deploying tear gas and distraction devices known as "flash bangs" in an attempt to disperse the crowd.
Approximately three-hundred protesters were held on the bridge for nearly an hour over Interstate 94 in St. Paul. After hours of people protesting, police instructed demonstrators to file onto the bridge and then announced everyone would be arrested, refusing to allow anyone off the overpass. Law enforcement barricading the bridge fired pepper spray, instructing protesters to put their hands behind their heads.
ABC News' Jennifer Duck was trapped with the marchers on the bridge and observed many young children scared and crying. She spoke to several marchers who said they wanted to go home, but the police refused to allow any movement. Members of the media, and many trying to follow police direction were being pepper sprayed in the face.
One policeman told ABC News that a firearm was confiscated from a protester on the bridge and that people were throwing rocks.
The RNC's Joint Information Center told ABC News that 88 arrests have been made on Thursday thus far, but more than 200 demonstrators are on their way now to Ramsey County Jail to be detained.
At least some of the protesters were part of the Anti-War Committee, who organized an afternoon rally on the capitol, followed by a march to the Xcel Energy Center, where the RNC is being held. At 5pm central, the protesters' permit expired, but demonstrators refused to leave. The crowd of nearly 700 stood at a standstill with the police as they tried to march from the capitol to the Xcel Center without success. The protesters, chanting, "Let us march!" and "No blood for oil, U.S. off Iraqi soil!" were non-violent in their actions. At one point, approximately 100 people sat down in the middle of the street, in front of more than two-dozen officers on horses, making the peace sign with their hands and singing the star spangled banner.
"Protesters felt that tonight was an important night to demonstrate in St. Paul. The eyes of the world are on John McCain tonight," said Meredith Aby of the Anti-War Committee in a statement to the press. "We felt it was imperative that his message of war did not go unchallenged. The police and the city of St. Paul decided to make downtown a Republican speech zone, but our demonstration challenged their decision."
Since the Republican National Convention began, there have been several riots in St. Paul and Minneapolis, protesting the Iraq war and the Bush administration's policies. The most disruptive protest took place on Monday, when violence broke out at a rally organized by the Coalition to March on the RNC and Stop the War. It was estimated that 8,000-10,000 people were present and more than 280 demonstrators were arrested.
September 4, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (157)
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"WOW!! So now we using iran and China as a barometer for our freedom ;"
Did you ever hear of civil protest? Try it next time and you won't get beat down. Oh yeah, and try bathing too.
Posted by: Mack | Sep 5, 2008 12:35:23 AM
"Candidate For Maine Legislature
Representative - District 55"
You live in Maine. How many times have you been beat down up there? How many people have been killed by the police in Maine?
Posted by: Mack | Sep 5, 2008 12:37:47 AM
Most of the protesters were peaceful, and they are doing us all a favor. I would be there too if family commitments and my work were not stacked up at the moment.
Posted by: Huh | Sep 5, 2008 12:38:10 AM
"Most of the protesters were peaceful"
And the violent ones ruined it for everyone. Do you think the police really enjoyed having to use force? I'm sure they'd rather be eating donuts.
Posted by: Mack | Sep 5, 2008 12:40:32 AM
i was there on monday, but not today. there were at least 50,000 people there...probably closer to 100,000. I was there with a cameraman and we watched as a street-filled rally marched by us for 1-2 hours. MUCH MORE THAN 10000! This is what the AP says, which got the the number from the police. All media gets 99% of their news from the AP.
Posted by: aaron | Sep 5, 2008 12:41:07 AM
"You live in Maine. How many times have you been beat down up there? How many people have been killed by the police in Maine?"
Not many at all, but that's because we are EXTREMELY well armed up here and have VERY lenient gun laws. As it should be the Second Amendment protects us. How you doing with that in YOUR State ?
Christopher M. Doyon
Candidate For Maine Legislature
Representative - District 55
---------------------
DOYON '08 Campaign
www.DoyonForLegislature.info
Posted by: Christopher Doyon | Sep 5, 2008 12:42:47 AM
Mack - Actually police love using force. I have a friend in Albuquerque that is a deputy and he loves when the druggies don't stop when told because he said he gets to tackle them. He was a former linebacker at UNM so he could do some damage. Many cops are obsessed with dispensing violence themselves. The get a high. So no I don't think many of them would like to sit around eating donuts.
Posted by: Huh | Sep 5, 2008 12:43:24 AM
"Not many at all, but that's because we are EXTREMELY well armed up here and have VERY lenient gun laws. As it should be the Second Amendment protects us. How you doing with that in YOUR State ?"
So what are you protesting about? You live in a very safe part of the country.
Posted by: Mack | Sep 5, 2008 12:45:31 AM
The 60's and 70's are back? I am hoping it doesn't get that bad. Can't wait for the election to be over perhaps then things will change..
Posted by: AnnD52 | Sep 5, 2008 12:46:02 AM
Mack - People are protesting the whole idea of war without provocation. They are also protesting McCain who sang a song about bombing Iran.
Posted by: Huh | Sep 5, 2008 12:47:03 AM
AnnD52 - Guns and butter, maybe!
Posted by: Huh | Sep 5, 2008 12:48:12 AM
"Mack - Actually police love using force. I have a friend in Albuquerque that is a deputy and he loves when the druggies don't stop when told because he said he gets to tackle them."
I'm sure that there are some bad apples. I'm not sure how it is in Albuquerque, although I grew up in New Jersey and have friends that are cops. They'd much rather avoid trouble when at all possible. They have families and just want to stay safe and go home after their shift.
Posted by: Mack | Sep 5, 2008 12:49:27 AM
"So what are you protesting about? You live in a very safe part of the country."
Because unlike Gov. Palin who once advocated secession of her State from the union I understand that the Sovereign State of Maine is ALSO part of the USA, as am I. And so what happens to my countrymen happens to me.
Christopher M. Doyon
Candidate For Maine Legislature
Representative - District 55
---------------------
DOYON '08 Campaign
www.DoyonForLegislature.info
Posted by: Christopher Doyon | Sep 5, 2008 12:50:18 AM
"Mack - People are protesting the whole idea of war without provocation. They are also protesting McCain who sang a song about bombing Iran. "
There is just better ways to go about it. You're protesting violence with violence. It reminds me of the "Pro-lifers" that are willing to kill for their cause. Kind of defeats the whole purpose.
Posted by: Mack | Sep 5, 2008 12:55:12 AM
"Because unlike Gov. Palin who once advocated secession of her State from the union I understand that the Sovereign State of Maine is ALSO part of the US as am I. And so what happens to my countrymen happens to me."
I grew up in NJ with very strict gun laws and police shootings were very rare. I now live in Las Vegas, and the gun laws are lenient, but there are very many police shootings here. Not sure what the answer is.
Posted by: Mack | Sep 5, 2008 1:01:37 AM
"There is just better ways to go about it. You're protesting violence with violence. It reminds me of the "Pro-lifers" that are willing to kill for their cause. Kind of defeats the whole purpose."
Yeah well welcome to my world. Being a liberal Democrat who is pro-Second Amendment has actually been a real pain. No one likes me, not my own Party - certainly not my GOP opponent. But the fact of the matter is that sometimes Freedom and Liberty must be defended with force, even lethal force if necessary. And I would remind you that balance has more or less kept us free for over two centuries. The fact that we can even have this debate, or possibly elect a black man to the Presidency is proof of this.
Life is filled with often amazing examples of polar opposites being in balance. I guess a liberal Democrat pro-gun Jeffersonian might just be the answer. It works for my constituents, I am likely to take my District by a landslade on the 4th of November.
Christopher M. Doyon
Candidate For Maine Legislature
Representative - District 55
---------------------
DOYON '08 Campaign
www.DoyonForLegislature.info
Posted by: Christopher Doyon | Sep 5, 2008 1:02:56 AM
After watching this week's Republican convention, I have come to realize we live in a truly divided nation. I honestly do nott understand the Republican mindset. How can they preach America First when their delegates represented a monolithic white America? http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/03/AR2008090303962.html?hpid=artslot
How can this group pretend to represent America? It's mind boggling. The Republicans need to reassess who they are and what they are all about. They do not represent the diversity which makes this great nation the best on earth.
Posted by: clarity | Sep 5, 2008 1:05:49 AM
There are so many factual errors in this story it is ridiculous. One of the biggest is that there was never any tear gas releases, flash bangs and smoke bombs yes, tear gas no. Go to local Minnesota coverage if you want the real story.
Posted by: CLaire | Sep 5, 2008 1:06:17 AM
"I grew up in NJ with very strict gun laws and police shootings were very rare. I now live in Las Vegas, and the gun laws are lenient, but there are very many police shootings here. Not sure what the answer is."
I think you may be confusing our definition of lenient. In Vermont there are NO restrictions on carrying a concealed weapon. Want to go to the store and feel safe ? Just stuff your pistol under your windbreaker and jet. No permit, permission or anything. Now THAT is lenient. And guess what, they have almost NO gun violence at all in Vermont. Very few criminals at all actually.
By comparison in Maine we are a little stricter then Vermont, but not much. Until recently you could buy long rifles without parent permission at age 16. Even that was a bit extreme for me but you get my point. By comparison (and yes I have been in all 50 States actually) Nevada is quite strict indeed.
Finally, what sort of police shootings are we talking about ? Our police shoot plenty of folks up here, even kill a few. But guess what folks, the ones they kill SHOT FIRST. And that is my flippin' point. Gunning down un-armed and innocent civilians is one thing. But I am all for them lighting up anyone one who shoots at them first.
Christopher M. Doyon
Candidate For Maine Legislature
Representative - District 55
---------------------
DOYON '08 Campaign
www.DoyonForLegislature.info
Posted by: Christopher Doyon | Sep 5, 2008 1:15:19 AM
What is wrong with those whackos? They speak of peace but violently protest. No one did this at the DNC because Independants and Republicans have dignity.
Posted by: mccainpalinrealchange | Sep 5, 2008 1:16:03 AM
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