HOUSTON -- Fifteen protesters were arrested Wednesday morning in downtown Houston outside the Halliburton shareholder meeting, Local 2 reported.

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Halliburton Demonstration Turns Into 'Melee'

The protest began at 9:30 a.m. in front of the Four Seasons Hotel, 1300 Lamar Street.

Approximately 200 demonstrators from around the country gathered at the hotel with giant puppets, noisemakers and signs.

Two hours later, 15 people were arrested and five were injured.

The shareholders' meeting, which lasted 30 minutes, was held under tight security. But seven protesters managed to get inside and block a stairwell, police said. They were among the first arrested.

A few minutes later, on the other side of the building, demonstrators blocked the entrance to a parking garage, according to officials. When mounted officers moved in, it became a free-for-all, witnesses said, and eight others were taken into custody.

Two protesters were injured when horses stepped on them.

"People were on the sidewalk, moving down the street, no one was in danger. I think the police were just trying to block them in," protester Lisa Fithian said.

Three officers were hurt when demonstrators assaulted them, investigators said.

"They may characterize this as an over-reaction. We would characterize it as a police action to prevent them from blocking access to the Four Seasons Hotel," said Sgt. D.J. Crain of the Houston Police Department.

The arrested demonstrators face charges of assault of a police officer, trespassing and evading arrest.

The protesters said the demonstration, which was organized by Houston Global Awareness, was part of an ongoing campaign to pressure Halliburton to withdraw from Iraq.