California IN BRIEF : BERKELEY : Police, Protesters Clash at Park

Rocks and bottles were tossed at police and small fires were set when officers clashed with protesters marking the 21st anniversary of the founding of People’s Park. Six adults and one juvenile were arrested during the weekend disturbance, police said. The charges ranged from warrants to felony assault, according to Police Chief Ronald Nelson. He said the trouble started when a crowd of about 150 marched toward the campus and built a bonfire, which was quickly extinguished by police. About 100 officers from several agencies were called to handle the protest. In the late 1960s, the small plot of land was supposed to be the location of student housing. However, those opposed to the plan, including many activists and street people, took over the land in 1969, planted flowers and set up what they called a “people’s park.”