PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Police on horseback charged thousands of Mardi Gras revelers after the celebration turned violent early Wednesday. Another Mardi Gras turned violent across the country in Seattle and about 40 people were injured.
More than 200 people were arrested in Philadelphia. Two of those injured in Seattle were described as in severely critical condition.
In Philadelphia, revelers smashed windows, and dozens of people looted a liquor store and other businesses on South Street, a trendy stretch of bars and shops at the edge of downtown. It took police about an hour to clear the street.
``Disappointing is the only word I can think to say,'' city managing director Joe Martz said as he walked down the trash-strewn street early Wednesday. ``It's disgraceful.''
Seattle police broke up the crowd there with pepper spray and said at least 21 people were arrested on charges that included assault, rioting, reckless endangerment and hit-and-run driving. New Orleans' Mardi Gras celebration, however, was largely peaceful.
Philadelphia's club district was littered with broken glass, empty beer cans, overturned trash receptacles and newspaper boxes, and a few lace bras. City Councilman Frank DiCicco said people acted like ``wild animals.'' Late Tuesday, despite temporary barricades designed to keep pedestrians on the sidewalk, crowds poured into the street. Eventually, police gave in and closed the street to vehicles instead of trying to push back the partiers.
Many of the bars, some of which had opened at 7 a.m., closed hours before the 2 a.m. closing time. Just after 11 p.m., police began to slowly clear the street with a line of police on bicycles and horses. After advancing about four blocks into the heart of the club district, they were assaulted with bottles from revelers who stood their ground, police said.
``What happened here tonight that disturbed me was the viciousness with the bottles,'' Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Frank Pryor said. ``We didn't touch anyone. We were very nice to them. But it seems they wanted a confrontation with the police.''
In Seattle, as many as 2,000 people crowded into the streets near a theater that held a midnight grand ball, and six to eight were arrested for investigation of assault and other violations, Officer Pam McCammon said. One was carrying a gun, she said.
A number of fights broke out that police did not try to break up for the officers' own safety, she explained. ``I saw some people, I got in the middle of it, next thing I knew people were pulling me out saying I was bleeding,'' said Chris Shirley, 26, of Seattle, whose face was bloodied. More arrests were made early Wednesday, but McCammon said she did not have any numbers. Two cars were overturned and at least two storefronts were smashed.
On Friday and Saturday nights, some Seattle revelers threw rocks, bottles and firecrackers at police, broke car windows and smashed six storefronts. Police responded with pepper spray and flash grenades, and made some arrests.
Authorities in Austin, Texas, canceled their Mardi Gras parade after 69 people were arrested and 31 others injured during a weekend outbreak of violence by partygoers.
Most of the Philadelphia arrests were for public drunkenness, disorderly conduct and fighting. Most of the defendants received $300 fines. DiCicco said police acted responsibly considering ``most people come with the full intention of being drunk and disorderly.''
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