500 Protesters Arrested in Capital - Fri Sep 27,11:17 AM ET By JONATHAN D. SALANT, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - Demonstrators chained themselves together, bicycled through downtown streets and harassed police with false 911 calls Friday as financial ministers from around the world began a weekend meeting. By mid-morning, about 500 people had been arrested, Police Chief Charles Ramsey said. Most were charged with blocking sidewalks or entrances to buildings or parading without a permit, although 65 were charged with rioting.

The financial meetings began without interruption — surrounded by fences, closed streets and lines of police — while protesters were scattered elsewhere.

At one downtown intersection, protesters chained themselves together, and police had to cut the chains to arrest them. Others danced through the street with mud and leaves smeared on their hair and clothes. Fire trucks were called to put out a few tires set ablaze on the outskirts of town.

Protesters broke windows at a Citibank office and tossed smoke bombs during a clash with police.

"This is not a police state, we have a right to demonstrate," chanted a group of mostly young people, some wearing bandanas over their faces.

--What the Hell are they protesting against? Email me if you know. These are the stupidest protesters I've ever seen. They are making themselves look like the spoiled brat kids of well to do parents. Are there no other important issues?