Police Arrest 20 After Riot Disrupts Idaho Car Show

COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho - Police fired rubber bullets into a crowd of about 3,000 people and arrested 20 after a disturbance broke out during a classic-car show.

The trouble began around 11 p.m. Friday when a police tried to close businesses and block traffic from entering the downtown area after the crowd attending the Car d'Lane Classic Car Cruise became unruly. Alcohol was a factor in the disturbance, police said.

"We had a lot of liquor violations" at the annual event that regularly draws huge crowds, said Coeur d'Alene Police Sgt. Greg Smith. "There wouldn't be a problem if not for alcohol."

A wall of officers marched forward chanting "Back, back, back" to push the crowd out of the area.

Several people then hurled beer bottles, rocks and other debris at officers. In response, one officer fired a riot gun into the crowd.

Officers proceeded to club, spray mace and drag and arrest crowd members, rioters and onlookers who would not disperse.

One officer was heard yelling into his radio, "I've got about 3,000 people down here starting a riot! I need help now!"

Police did not release information on the number of arrests. A supervisor at Kootenai Medical Center said five people were treated for minor scrapes and bruises.

Witnesses said festivities turned sour when a man on a motorcycle sped out on the street in front of a bar. After an officer on foot ticketed the man, bar patrons joined the crowd already on the street and began booing, throwing debris and screaming profanities at officers.

"At the time he did not even get a ticket, but it evolved into a major incident," said Smith, a field commander.

The already heavily patrolled downtown area swelled with additional local, county and state police officers who were called to the scene. Smith said 115 officers participated.

Several streets were blocked off, and all were calm by early morning yesterday.

Elsewhere, in Eugene, Ore., police arrested 15 people after a parade featuring 300 anarchists became unruly. The disturbance began when some demonstrators veered from the parade route and walked into traffic, confronting motorists.

Police in riot gear used tear gas to dispel the crowd. Minor injuries were reported.