by Steve Proffitt

Storm Troopers


Credit: Steve Proffitt

A variety of groups, most identifying themselves as anarchists, are promising to do what they can to disrupt the Republican National Convention. Yesterday there were sporadic incidents of violence in St. Paul. Along with a large group of peaceful protesters, agitators broke windows, hurled bottles at police and generally tried to cause trouble.

Storm Trooper

The police here are prepared. With temperatures yesterday in the 90's, they were clad in an amazing array of riot gear. Black vests, shoulder pads, legs pads and helmets form the basis of their protection. They carried long, ominous-looking clubs, plastic ties to cuff suspects and gas masks. And yesterday they employed mace, pepper spray and tear gas on several occasions. Below, a shot I caught of an officer releasing some spray on demonstrators who were gathered just outside our workspace, in the offices of Minnesota Public Radio.

An officer releases spray on demonstrators.


Credit: Steve Proffitt

Police officials here said they made around 300 arrests yesterday. Of those, some 130 people were charged with felonies. Both the police and the agitators say they expect the confrontations to continue, and perhaps escalate, as the convention proceeds towards its Thursday night conclusion.