ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) Police on horseback are blocking a bridge as hundreds of anti-war protesters try to march from the Minnesota State Capitol to the Republican National Convention.

Instead of marching as originally planned, protesters instead sat down on the bridge, broke out chalk to write their messages on the pavement, played hopscotch and chanted.

Police blocked the bridge, which runs over Interstate 94 just to the south of the Capitol and about a quarter-mile from the convention site, after the protesters' march permit expired.

Police donned gas masks and riot gear for a possible confrontation. But they didn't immediately attempt to force anyone backward off the bridge toward the only available exit.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 09-04-08 1811CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list