Police charged the frontline of the march which contained several older people by firing volleys of tear gas into the crowd. The social Forum also came under attack and there were running battles. There was then retaliation and the front of the march split up into an L-shape. Peaceful protesters also came under fire as they stood trapped on the stairs. Much of the group has now decided to head to the North of the city to regroup, although some have remained on the beach and moved backwards.