Protesters Battle Chicago Cops at NATO Summit

What began as an orderly march by thousands of activists protesting the NATO summit yesterday turned bloody as clashed erupted with Chicago police. At least seven people required hospital treatment, and dozens were arrested, reports the Chicago Tribune. The confrontation lasted close to two hours, and left several protesters bloodied, said the newspaper. In other action, a number of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans threw their NATO valor medals over a fence set up by the Secret Service around the summit site at the McCormick convention center, reports ABC News. A hacking group affiliated with Anonymous also reportedly took down NATO and Chicago police websites temporarily. "We are in your harbor Chicago, and you will not forget us," said the group, antis3curityops, in a comment posted on Cyber War News.

The demonstrations yesterday followed earlier arrests of five men on terrorism charges. Three were accused of building Molotov cocktails and planning attacks on President Obama's local campaign headquarters and on Mayor Rahm Emanuel's home during the summit. Two militia members from Wisconsin were also busted after police found shotguns, shells, knives and batons inside their vehicle. Police are steeling for more trouble today. (More Chicago stories.)