Hundreds protest in Charlotte

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CHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept. 2 (UPI) -- Hundreds of protesters marched through uptown Charlotte, N.C., Sunday in advance of the Democratic National Convention this week.

Police estimated the protesters at 800, many with gripes against the U.S. financial system, but many more people watched the march from the sidelines, The Charlotte Observer reported.

The protesters represented a coalition of more than 90 local and national groups. The newspaper said about 100 police officers lined the parade route, but there appeared to be few clashes.

Protesters said they were targeting Charlotte because it is the nation's second-largest financial center, after New York City, the Observer said.

Union activists are angry the Democrats have chosen North Carolina for their convention, Hispanic groups are trying to highlight immigration issues and some environmental groups are targeting Duke Energy, which they say is a major polluter, the Observer said.