Outsiders Blamed For Violence

Police and union officials on Tuesday blamed outside agitators for encouraging a violent confrontation near a plant where Detroit’s daily newspapers are printed.

The four-hour standoff ended early Tuesday with 23 people arrested and several injured, including a guard whose legs were broken under a Detroit Newspapers truck.

Police on Tuesday displayed the sticks, rocks, bricks, sign posts and metal shafts they said were thrown at them. Police Chief Thomas Derocha said non-striking agitators had spurred on the violence. He said a Labor Day crowd that had been drinking made it worse.

Union leaders also criticized the violence and harassment - and blamed it on people unaffiliated with the striking unions.

“We certainly aren’t foolish enough to encourage or even tolerate from our own members violence against the police officers,” said Frank Kortsch, negotiator for Teamsters Local 372.