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ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) _ Self-described anarchists vowed Tuesday to hit the streets of St. Paul every day this week, even as police were hoping for calm after violence near the site of the Republican convention led to more than 280 arrests.
"We are excited about what the next few days may bring now that the illusion of business as usual has been shattered," said Rose DaBarr, spokeswoman for a group called the RNC Welcoming Committee.
About 10,000 people marched Monday in an anti-war protest, most of them walking peacefully on a route from the state Capitol to the convention arena, Xcel Energy Center, and back. A splinter group that police estimated at about 200 people was blamed for attacking delegates, smashing windows, puncturing car tires, throwing bottles and starting at least one fire.
Another march on Tuesday organized by a different group, the Poor People's Economic Human Rights Committee, was going ahead as planned.
"We are not going to be stopped," said the group's spokeswoman, Cheri Honkala.
She said their march would deviate from the permitted path to go by the county jail, where some of the people arrested Monday remained. Honkala also promised multiple acts of civil disobedience.
Police said they were ready.
"We are prepared for this type of activity to continue all week, although we certainly hope that the violence is done and the rest of the week will be peaceful," said Minneapolis Police Capt. Amelia Huffman. Minneapolis is one of many agencies working with St. Paul on security.
St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman called on protesters to "engage in proper political dialogue."
"We will send a very loud and clear message to those who choose to break the law and endanger the safety of others," he said. "We will pursue you, and we will not let this stand."
Authorities said 130 of those arrested faced possible felony charges. At least four of those arrested were journalists who were later released.
Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner said she expected her office to consider charges on Tuesday against those arrested. She said she couldn't speculate on how long they would be held before having a chance to post bail.
The anti-war march was organized by a group called the Coalition to March on the RNC and Stop the War, whose leaders said they hoped for a peaceful, family friendly event. But police were on high alert after months of preparations by the RNC Welcoming Committee, which wasn't among the organizers of the march.
The violent protests in St. Paul were a contrast with a relatively peaceful Democratic convention in Denver, where only 152 people were arrested during the four-day convention and the preceding weekend.
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