Motorists, Students Clash in Anti-War Protest at UNM The Associated Press
An anti-war protest at the University of New Mexico lost its harmony after a confrontation erupted between some protesters and passing motorists.
Witnesses said a group of about 350 anti-war protesters gathered near the university's bookstore on Friday around 5:30 p.m. and then marched into the streets.
Words were exchanged between the marchers and passing drivers, said Albuquerque Police Department Deputy Chief Ray Schultz. He said some marchers were asked to get out of the street by police officers and some were arrested.
"Protesting in the middle of Central Avenue at 7 o'clock at night is not good," Schultz said.
Four people were arrested and cited for minor violations.
Ben Tucker, a former campus activist, said he was one of the four arrested. He said he was cited for "inciting a riot" and detained for about an hour.
Tucker said he believes the rally was well-timed as the nation prepares for war in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks in New York and Washington, D.C.
"The point is, this is the time to fight for peace," Tucker said.
Many bystanders said the rally was the largest demonstration at the university since the anti-Vietnam War protests in 1970 and 1971.
"I think an alternative to war needs to be voiced, and we're not hearing that," said protester Dave Pace. "It seems to be that the only way to get the voice for peace heard is to go out into the street."
The police prepared to monitor a rally at the Civic Plaza and prepared for the possibility of a march near the jail or police headquarters, all located in Albuquerque's Downtown area.
Patrol cars blocked the street in front of the jail, and officers broke out tear gas masks and wooden batons.
John Dantis, the city's jail director, said the precautions were a way for Albuquerque police officers to avoid trouble at the jail.
"The last thing we wanted was to have a demonstration in front of the facility," he said Friday night at the scene.
Organizers of the rally used fliers and e-mail messages to advertise it ahead of time, demonstrators said.
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