Protesters, police clash before summit

EDINBURGH, Scotland – Hundreds of black-clad anarchists and anti-G-8 protesters clashed violently with police in Scotland’s capital Monday as demonstrators sought to keep up pressure on world leaders before this week’s summit of wealthy nations.

Shield-carrying police locked down entire streets, penning in protesters with the help of officers on horseback. Authorities advised businesses to close, describing the protesters’ behavior as threatening.

Groups of up to 200 demonstrators, some dressed as clowns, roamed Edinburgh, banging drums, blowing whistles and taunting officers. Police said they had arrested nearly 30 protesters.

The protests were aimed at Wednesday’s meeting of the Group of Eight industrialized nations at the nearby Gleneagles Hotel, where world leaders will discuss African poverty and global warming.

Some demonstrators are demanding that leaders take urgent action on world poverty and the environment, while anarchists don’t want the summit itself to go ahead.