"ST. PAUL, Minn. -- At least 50 people were arrested at protests outside the Republican National Convention on Monday, police said. Police estimated that between 5,000 and 8,000 people joined a rally to the Xcel Energy Center, where the convention is being held. Police said the main antiwar demonstration was largely peaceful but a separate group of self-described anarchists smashed windows and set a trash bin on fire.

"There was a splinter group that came here to cause trouble," said Tom Walsh, a spokesman for the St. Paul police.

The crowds gathered at the Capitol grounds in the morning, as speakers and dancers performed. As the protesters made their way toward the conference center, they waved homemade signs that said such things as "Bush/McCain = McSame" and "GOP -- Government, Oh Please."

A group of Iraq veterans pushed a coffin, covered in an American flag and Army fatigues, in memory of Lance Cpl. Alexander Arredondo, who was killed in Iraq in 2004. The father of Army Spec. Juan M. Torres carried a photograph of his son, who died in Afghanistan. Jose Rodriguez, a Vietnam War veteran from Houston, said he considered voting for John McCain but could not after eight years of the Bush administration.

"Iraq is an unjustified war. Kids are dying for nothing," he said. "We've got too many old people running things already."

Many families said they were enjoying the carnival atmosphere. Suzannah Ciernia said she had come from Northfield, Minn., with her friend Cindy Robinson and was having fun: "We're a couple of moms for peace. My husband is over with the war veterans, and my son is over with the students group."

Mike and Sue Starr traveled from Anoka, Minn., to protest against Vice President Cheney's role in the war. "He is a five-time deferment and he is sending our son to war. Our son leaves in two weeks for 11 or 12 months," Mike Starr said.

The war in Iraq was not the only issue being highlighted. Activists championed same-sex marriage, legalization of marijuana, an end to homelessness and better access to health care.

Maria Morales of Racine, Wis., was coordinating Voces de la Frontera, a group that supports illegal immigrants. "It's exciting -- I hope something comes out of this," she said. "We need legalization of the 12 million."

Many waved "Obama '08" signs, and "I Back Barack" T-shirts were on sale for $10 each.

There was a strong police presence along the march, with many officers in full riot gear. Some demonstrators complained of strong-arm police tactics throughout the holiday weekend. Doante Davis, 31, traveled up with a group from Louisville and was staying at "Bushville," a camp set up outside the Asia Supermarket on Western Avenue. He said that police had tried to intimidate the protesters overnight.

"The police had nothing better to do," Davis said. "They made their dogs bark at us and flashed lights in our faces last night."

"Democracy Now" radio host Amy Goodman and two producers were arrested while covering the demonstrations. Goodman was released after being held for over three hours, but last night she was waiting to hear whether Sharif Abdel Kouddous and Nicole Salazar would be released.

"I was down on the convention floor interviewing delegates when I heard that two of our producers had been arrested," said Goodman. "I ran down to Jackson and Seventh Street, where the police had moved in."

"Nicole told me that as they moved in on three sides, she asked them 'How do I get away from this?' and they jumped on her."

Goodman said that when she ran up to find out what was going on, she was also arrested: "They seriously manhandled me and handcuffed my hands behind my back. The top ID [at the convention] is to get on the floor, and the Secret Service ripped that off me. I had my 'Democracy Now' ID, too. I was clearly a reporter."" (Holly Watt, The Washington Post, September 2, 2008)