Saturday’s St. Patrick's day parade in downtown Colorado Springs turned bad for some parade participants and spectators when a group of peace marchers were arrested.

A total of 7 people were arrested, police say they asked the group to leave the parade because they're message was not appropriate. When the group resisted, they say they were forced to act and that’s when many witnesses say things got out of control. It happened at the intersection of Tejon and St. Vrain.

"Part of the agreement with the parade participants is no social messages such as abortion, pro war against the war," said Sgt. Bob Weber with the Colorado Springs Police Dept.

But these marchers say they're only message was one of peace and they were doing nothing wrong.

"It's a peace sign, it's not a social comment. We have a permit, we paid our money, we were number 21 in the lineup," said Mark Lewis with Pikes Peak Justice & Peace Commission.

Eric Verlo says he was driving a green truck down the street when he was pulled out by a police officer.

"I was put on the ground and they were putting their knees into my back. I got handcuffed and got thrown in a police car with another gentlemen," said Verlo.

Police say most the marchers respected their order to leave, it was only the ones who resisted that got into trouble.

"They were asked to leave the parade route, most of them complied and a handful resisted and they had to be escorted off the parade route," said Sgt. Weber.

And it was a scene that evoked mixed emotions amongst spectators, some glad the cops stepped in.

"We stand for freedom, but not for that, it was wrong, it was very wrong," said Wendy Jensen.

"These people didn't go back peacefully, they were belligerent, it was uncalled for. The cops
handled it professionally and I am really proud of them," said Doug Higgins.

But others thought the group should be allowed to march.

"They weren't doing anything, all they were doing was trying to march down the street like everybody else," said Terry Dillie.

"I feel that they had a right to be in the parade, just like anybody else, the Democratic party was there and the other people that had opinions were here," said Mary Kauffman.

The 7 people who were arrested were charged with Refusing to Desist and Disperse, which is only a misdemeanor. They were not taken to jail.