Police, Basques clash in Spain

Riot police fired rubber anti-riot rounds at pro-independence Basques and charged protesters who defied a ban on demonstrating yesterday on the tourist-packed streets of San Sebastian.

The political party Batasuna, banned on the grounds it is the political wing of armed separatist group ETA, called the march on first day of San Sebastian's "Big Week", a civic celebration when tourists and townspeople flood the streets.

The elegant, seaside city of San Sebastian is a pro-independence stronghold within Spain's Basque Country. Basque authorities had denied permission to demonstrate, a decision that was upheld by the region's highest court on the eve of the march. The Basque Country's security chief had vowed to use force to stop it.

Batasuna staged a brief rally despite the ban and helmeted police fired rubber balls from noisy rifles to disperse lingering protesters. Curious tourists took snapshots.

The event began as a tense stand-off with shoving and shouting. Demonstrators chanted slogans like "Independence!" and raised fists in the face of police in riot gear. Hundreds of protesters then abandoned their planned march route and staged a demonstration in a nearby plaza - still defying the ban.