Thousands protest at Republican convention

ST. PAUL (Reuters) - Thousands of exuberant, sign-waving protesters filled the streets of St. Paul on Monday, as Republicans prepared for a low-key opening to their presidential nominating convention.

Chanting "war is not pro-life" and holding signs criticizing President George W. Bush, the protesters marched from the state capitol to the Xcel Center, where John McCain will accept the Republican nomination later this week.

Public safety officials put the crowd size at 8,000 to 10,000 and reported seven arrests. A Reuters reporter at the protest said it appeared to be peaceful. There was no sign of a group of self-proclaimed anarchists that had announced plans to blockade the city, seize bridges and disrupt transportation.

Republicans have scaled back convention festivities on the first day, mindful of a political backlash as Hurricane Gustav pounded the Louisiana coast.

Convention organizers planned a truncated business-only session for about two hours on Monday and scrapped a planned speech by Bush.

But Bush's absence did not deter the enthusiasm of protesters. Carrying a sign that said, "Hold Bush accountable," 52-year-old Gary Frazee from Minneapolis said he suspected that the president was using the hurricane as an excuse not to come to the convention.

"Why would he show up? There's no love for him here," he said.

(Writing by Emily Kaiser, editing by Jackie Frank)