Subscribe to one of our news e-mail lists . At least 47 people were arrested Saturday, taking the arrest total during the two-day Transatlantic Business Dialogue meeting to 53. The conference that wrapped up Saturday involved about 90 corporate executives from Europe and the United States and about 100 international trade officials. The business leaders are putting together recommendations aimed at easing barriers to international trade.
Protesters contend they want to water down rules protecting workers and the environment.
Police used chemical spray to disperse one group of protesters after a confrontation over a woman's refusal to remove a stick from a protest sign, police said. Two news photographer also were sprayed in the face by police. More than 80 helmeted officers and a dozen on horseback used metal barricades to keep the demonstrators away from the headquarters of Kroger Co., the nation's largest grocery chain, for a third day. Sister Alice Gerdeman of the Coalition for a Humane Economy, which organized the rally, said the police searches were intimidation tactics that could lead to more trouble. Her group staged mostly peaceful demonstrations Thursday and Friday involving crowds of 300 to 400 people.