2,500 Compete for Picket Space, Publicity : Backers and Foes of Contras Clash

Reflecting the growing intensity of feelings nationwide on aid to the Nicaraguan contras, about 2,500 protesters on both sides of the issue clashed in Century City on Thursday in one of the largest and most heated local demonstrations about Central America in recent years.

Police said there were no arrests, and no one was reported injured.

However, about two dozen officers wearing riot gear stood at the ready as marchers engaged in angry exchanges and occasional shoving matches while vying for national press coverage across the street from where President Reagan was meeting with leaders of the rebels fighting Nicaragua’s Sandinista government.

The demonstration was the latest in a series of such local events, in which more than 20 religious and anti-war groups have found themselves face to face with a much smaller but vocal group of counterdemonstrators who support the President’s policies.

Increased Attention

The midday turnout, which exceeded expectations on both sides, was attributed to the presence of the President and to increased attention given to the issue during the televised Iran-contra hearings this summer. A second round of protests took place in late afternoon.

Both groups see the next several weeks, while peace plans are being discussed in Central America and contra aid is debated in Washington, as a critical time for their causes.

The anti-war groups, which support a plan signed by Central American leaders, distributed leaflets proclaiming these the “Days of Decision.” Those supporting the contras carried some signs saying, “It’s now or never!”

Many of the 1,500 to 2,000 anti-contra demonstrators marched quietly, carrying crosses bearing the names of Nicaraguans they said had been killed by contra fighters.

Apart from the organized groups, there were also Japanese Buddhists, veterans of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade who fought against Spanish dictator Francisco Franco during the Spanish Civil War of the late 1930s, and other marchers who said they belong to no organization.

“I’m not with any group, and I haven’t gone to a demonstration for years,” said Elaine Quan, librarian at John Marshall High School. “But I felt so strongly about this, especially after watching the ‘Contragate’ hearings, that I just had to come out to protest President Reagan meeting with the contras.”

Supporters of North

Meanwhile, many of roughly 400 to 600 counterdemonstrators wore buttons reading, “Ollie North for President,” in honor of the fired National Security Council staff member who became a national figure during the hearings.

“We represent grass-roots Americans who love God, family and country,” said Pat Kotter of Anaheim, who added that she helped organize a recent “Ollie North Freedom Forum” in Orange County. “Too often, the good people stay at home and the bad people carry signs.”

The shoving matches began shortly before 11 a.m. when police ordered the contra supporters to leave the area in front of the Century Plaza Hotel, where Reagan was staying, and to join the anti-contra forces across Avenue of the Stars to the east.

Carrying 12-foot long banners, the groups, including Young Americans for Freedom and the Nicaraguan Resistance, lined up in the street in front of the much larger group that was picketing on the sidewalk.

‘Spread Out the Banners’

“Here, get right in front!” Brian Zink, a director of the RAMBO (Restore a More Benevolent Order) coalition, ordered his followers. “Spread out the banners!”

About 50 security members of the anti-war groups urged their protesters to remain quiet and eventually moved most of their marchers down the street. However, nose-to-nose confrontations took place between the most vocal protesters throughout the demonstration.

Bob Zirgulis, one of the organizers of the counterdemonstration, said his groups decided a few years ago to show up at protests called by peace groups to cut into publicity that the groups receive.

“We tried to organize demonstrations ourselves, but the leftist media never showed up,” he said. “So, now we let the other side do the work, organize it all, and we show up for the publicity. This one will get national coverage.”

He said his own group, which he said he named International Human Rights Watch to counter the international Americas Watch human-rights organization, has about 300 members nationwide.

As the groups milled in front of the Century City theaters, parking valet Walter Amaya, a Salvadoran emigre, watched in silent agreement with the anti-war groups. “I left because of war in Central America,” he said. “There should not be more money for more war.”

However, hundreds of office workers milled around the Century City mall nearby, apparently oblivious to the commotion.

Informed of the demonstration, Debra Stewart, a UCLA student clad in exercise tights for a health-club promotion, said: “We’ll all be drinking vodka in Russia if people don’t support the President--I think they could find something better to do with their time.”