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Bill Clements, St. Paul Legal Ledger Capitol Report managing editor's picture

Protesters breaking windows, throwing tear gas in St. Paul

Posted 1:11 pm, September 1st, 2008 by Bill Clements, St. Paul Legal Ledger Capitol Report managing editor

Around 2 p.m. Monday, writer Betsy Sundquist reported from 5th and Jackson, on the edge of Mears Park about eight blocks east of the Xcel Center, that protesters are breaking windows with rocks and bricks and throwing tear gas.

A police officer who would not give his name said, "People are getting hurt, and it's just the beginning."

As he spoke, ambulances flew past on 5th Street.

Sundquist said that protesters tossing bricks had shattered a big picture window along the front of Galtier Plaza, 380 Jackson St. A woman helping clean up the debris asked, "What does this have to do with ending the war?" 

Terri Dresen, a spokeswoman for United Hospital at 333 Smith Ave. N., reported about 3 p.m. that the hospital's emergency room had seen no RNC-related injuries yet. "It's really quiet over here," she said.