SEATTLE (APBnews.com) -- In its first violent confrontation since the World Trade Organization riots last year, city police this week controlled a drunken Mardi Gras melee with little fanfare.
There were 11 arrests and several minor injuries to police officers in the confrontation, said police, which took place early Wednesday morning as the Fat Tuesday celebration stretched into the wee hours.
"I'm proud of our Seattle police officers," said Mayor Paul Schell in a written statement. "The department responded quickly and effectively to disburse the crowd and clear the streets. There were no significant injuries, and Seattle police will continue to respond appropriately whenever crowds get out of control."
Millions in WTO damage
Seattle police were roundly criticized for their handling of the WTO protests, in which thousands of demonstrators took to the streets and caused widespread vandalism.
Police used tear gas and fired rubber bullets on the crowds, and the National Guard was called in to help. More than 500 people were arrested and downtown merchants reported more than $2 million in property damage and $17 million in lost retail sales.
The riots also led to the resignation of Police Chief Norm Stamper, who has since been replaced by Chief Herb Johnson.
Rocks and bottles fly
The Fat Tuesday celebration began to get out of hand shortly after midnight when police tried to make their way through the crowd on Yesler Way to provide ambulance access to an injured celebrant. Partygoers collided with about a dozen officers, said police, and began throwing rocks and bottles at them.
Police responded with pepper spray, called for backup and ordered the crowds to disperse. The police presence increased to about 100 officers, and after a couple hours of confrontations, police managed to disperse the crowd. Although thousands of people visited this neighborhood and its 10 bars, police estimated the rowdy crowd at 500 during the height of violence.
Of the 11 arrests, three were on felony charges, one for drug possession and eight for misdemeanors. Six partygoers received hospital treatment for minor injuries. One police officer was treated for an injured arm after the melee, and several officers were injured by thrown bottles, but did not require treatment.
Politics vs. drunks
Dick Lilly, a spokesman for the mayor, told APBnews.com the Fat Tuesday incident didn't compare with the large scale WTO riots.
"The WTO protests were a political event," Lilly said, "highly organized through the Internet and involving complicated global issues, along with troublemakers who had nothing to do with the political part."
Another major difference between the Fat Tuesday violence and the WTO riots is that crowds Tuesday night did not break windows or cause any other property damage.
"The Fat Tuesday incident pretty much involved normal crowd-control-type police work when drunk people started getting out of hand. I don't think this changes anything around here, but we will keep a wary eye toward certain public events," Lilly said, noting there was a similar clash between Seattle police and drunken partygoers at a Fat Tuesday celebration in 1979.
'Always try to be ready'
Kathy Nielsen, president of the Pioneer Square Community Council that helped promote the Fat Tuesday celebration, praised the department's handling of the troublemakers.
Seattle police spokesman Clem Benton told APBnews.com that police followed standard procedures, and said the incident probably would not impact preparations for future holiday-type festivities.
"We always try to be ready," he said. "We have procedures in place for trying to deal with large crowds and to keep the peace."
By Steve Waterstrat, an APBnews.com correspondent.:
