WOODTV.com & WOOD TV8 - Grand Rapids police monitored anti-war protests, chief says
(Grand Rapids-AP, March 28, 2004, 5:04 p.m.) When opposition to the war in Iraq began to mount last year, city police sent undercover officers to anti-war meetings and rallies, collecting intelligence about the aims of activists, the department's chief confirmed.

Grand Rapids Police Chief Harry Dolan said the officers were sent after police received information activists planned unlawful measures, such as blocking traffic on a downtown Grand Rapids
street.

Police had reason for heightened concern about protesters, because of the arrest of 12 people at a January 2003 rally protesting an appearance by President Bush, Dolan said. The protesters were arrested when dozens marched through downtown streets after the main rally had concluded and refused police orders to disperse.

Blocking streets! Refusing to disperse! All 12 of them! What a bunch of rabble-rousers we have here!