CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Dozens of protesters shut down a downtown Charlotte, N.C., intersection on Tuesday as they spent roughly two hours in a stalemate with police blocks from the Democratic National Convention, chanting a hodgepodge of complaints ranging from abuse of political power to a lack of paychecks.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Rodney Monroe said at least one person was arrested during the protest — for crossing a police line — but the relatively peaceful occupation did not require officers to rush to remove the men and women sitting in the turn lanes.

The slow-motion protest did inconvenience one convention attendee. D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray told reporters he missed his 30-minute free-speech platform on voting rights for the District because he was stuck in traffic.

“It shouldn’t have impeded or been an obstacle to do what it was we came to do,” Mr. Gray said.

About an hour after the protest started and a tent was placed in the middle of the intersection, a group broke off to attend an animal rights protest, while New Hampshire primary contender — and Internet meme — Vermin Supreme arrived with a black boot on his head and began to lead his own march, dividing the day’s protest and dispersing police.

Riding his bicycle along with the marchers, Columbus, Ohio, resident Tom Over said it seemed the protest was “mostly leftist,” but he’d “like to see more people getting involved.”

“We’re doing a good job in terms of action,” he added, but hoped fellow protesters “don’t get bogged down in a cat-and-mouse game with police.”

Occupy demonstrators move through downtown in an unscheduled protest march on Tuesday, ... more >

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