A demonstrator chants at a venue where Rice was to speak Tuesday in Tampa. Protesters try to arrest Rice

TAMPA, Fla. — Police in Tampa stopped a dozen anti-war protesters from entering an event attended by former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice after the group said it intended to arrest her for war crimes.

( PHOTOS: Protesters in Tampa)


The protesters from Code Pink carried handcuffs Tuesday and tried to enter a performing arts center. Rice was attending an event in conjunction with the Republican National Convention. They said they wanted to make a citizen's arrest of Rice. She was George W. Bush's National Security Adviser when the Iraq War started in 2003.

Officers told protesters to leave because they were on private property. They went back to the sidewalk and several lay down under sheets made to look like they were blood-splattered.

( Also on POLITICO: Full Republican National Convention coverage)

The group says it will try to arrest other members of the George W. Bush administration.