Fighting erupts at journalists' summit

CHICAGO, July 26 (UPI) -- Fighting erupted at a summit of minority journalists in Chicago between backers and opponents of Senegal President Abdoulaye Wade, officials said.

The brief brouhaha broke out Friday at the Unity '08 convention, prompting the arrival of dozens of police vehicles, Editor & Publisher reported. Officers separated the two dozen or so people involved in the sparring.

Wade was chosen to speak at the convention, attended by the National Association of Black Journalists, National Association of Hispanic Journalists, Asian American Journalists Association and Native American Journalism Association.

Onlookers said the fighting seemed to have been sparked by Wade backers irritated by a protester being questioned by a journalist.

Editor & Publisher said the event's organizers took a risk by asking Wade to speak because some journalists think he has silenced the press in his country through intimidation.