St. Paul Police Raid GOP Protest Group As Members Watching Films, Eating

August 30, 2008 7:56 a.m. EST

St. Paul, MN (AHN) - St. Paul, Minnesota police assisted an unnamed agency in raiding a hall on Smith Street there that had been rented by a group described as anarchists organized to protest the 2008 Republican National Convention.

About 50 people inside the building were photographed, but no one was arrested, according to reports.

Self-described as "anarchist/anti-authoritarian," the RNC Welcoming Committee has accused the police of trying to interfere with the protest the group has planned for Monday when the GOP convention begins.

Members of the group said that the rented hall served as a gathering place to get food, information and internet access as well as to hold workshops and training, not illegal activities.

"Tonight, we were watching films and sharing food," the group said in a statement, according to CNN news. "We are now accused of a simple fire code violation."

St. Paul Police spokesman Tom Walsh said police had a warrant.

"The cause for the search warrant is not public at this time," Walsh said, according to CNN news.