VIDEO: Chicago PD Clashes With NATO Protesters

At least 45 people were arrested Sunday during a violent clash between Chicago Police and black bloc anarchists who were among the protestors of the NATO Summit.

Anti-war protestors gatheres at McCormick Place near where world leaders discussed the war in Afghanistan. Several thousand peacefully protested, and anti-war veterans threw their combat medals into the street near Cermak Road and Michigan Avenue, reports the Chicago Tribune .

A "Black Bloc" of about 100 anarchists chanted "What do we want? Dead cops!" marched to the front of the protest crowd and tried to break through the line of Chicago cops in riot gear, reports the Chicago Sun-Times .

The two sides violently clashed as protesters hurled sticks, bottles and at least one rock. Police responded by using batons to drive the protesters back. Illinois State Police arrived to help disperse the crowd from the middle of the streets.

Superintendent Garry McCarthy arrived at the front lines to direct officers. Wearing only his uniform and no body armor, McCarthy credited his officers with holding the line.

"They came after us," McCarthy told the Sun-Times about the anarchists. "We're not here to get assaulted. You can use force to overcome an assault, and that's exactly what happened."

At one point in the protest, Chicago PD officers donned gas masks. No pepper spray or chemical agents were deployed, and McCarthy on Monday told the Associated Press there had been miscommunication.

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