Scuffles broke out between opposing protesters in Cleveland on the second day of the Republican National Convention.
A planned demonstration against police shootings of African-Americans devolved into mayhem yesterday, with punches thrown and shouting matches.
Approximately 100 police officers separated the dueling groups and maintained a strict cordon, quickly defusing tensions between rival protesters -- who also numbered around 100.
There were no immediate arrests, according to Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams, who was at the scene.
As the protest was getting under way, witnesses said Alex Jones -- a controversial radio show host who espouses various conspiracy theories -- challenged the assembled crowd and a few protesters punched him.
Police immediately moved in to separate the two sides.
Another group of counter-protesters, with signs including one that said "Every Real Muslim is a Jihadist," needled the crowd.
They were met with a chorus of boos, and comments such as "You're miserable."
Other protesters were yelling: "Indict! Convict! Send the killer cops to jail! The whole damn system, is guilty as hell."
News media swarmed the scene -- on alert for trouble between rival protesters since the opening of the party convention, which will see Donald Trump officially anointed as the Republican candidate for president.
Officials have set up tight security zones and remain on heightened alert as groups with various messages plan to protest.
