Protesters employed a different tactic than they did during protests against meetings of international financial groups in Seattle last year and the District of Columbia in April. According to one bus driver, protesters carrying signs against police brutality suddenly appeared from a side street, cutting off the bus in midtraffic. The two dozen activists surrounded the bus and brought it to a stop, flanked by photographers, television cameras and as many police officers bringing up the rear on bicycles. Doors were temporarily locked at the Philadelphia Marriott while police cleared protesters who had surrounded the hotel where the Texas delegation is staying this week. A crowd of mostly Marriott guests who were forced to wait in the heat until police cleared the demonstrations booed the protesters as they were loaded into vans and applauded the police.
Activists plan similar civil disobedience and disruption today.
Police reported no serious property damage. They raided a warehouse in northwest Philadelphia where activists were storing puppets. The activists barricaded themselves inside for several hours, but police eventually broke in and arrested everyone. Commissioner Timoney said police did not serve the search warrant to seize the puppets, but declined to say what officers were looking for. Broadcast reports said officers were searching for lockboxes, chemicals and gas masks.