DENVER, Colo. -- Pro-life and pro-choice contingents battle on the street, while others protest the war in Iraq.

They've organized peacefully, but Denver police say an event Monday night, near the Sheraton Hotel, where the New York delegation is staying, was not. The result was more than 100 arrests and the release of pepper spray. One Albany City official got caught right in the middle of the fray.

"They began to push us back with their batons and their riot gear and all of a sudden everyone noticed that they were coughing. You couldn't smell it, you couldn't see it, my eyes were running, someone literally had to drag me back to in front of the hotel and then we couldn't get in," said Wanda Willingham.

And those inside couldn't get out, including Governor Paterson.

"The hotel was on lock down. The elevators were locked. They were telling people that you couldn't leave. The shuttle bus over the Pepsi Center was canceled," said New York City Democrat Wanda Felton.

Since the Democratic National Convention started, Denver Police say there have been nearly 130 protester arrests. Locals and visitors alike say police presence in the Mile High City has been like nothing they've ever seen.

"What was frightening to me, if they were supposed to be there to protect, I want to know who they were protecting," Willingham said.

"This is not my first Democrat National Convention. I've never seen this type of law enforcement presence. This is, I would say, a little intrusive," said Syracuse Democrat Alfonso Davis.

While others say it's better to be safe rather than sorry, not wanting a repeat of the past.

"I think the force was necessary ‘cause it sends a message to the other protesters. They’re just trying to keep the city safe. I lived in LA during the Rodney King riots. I just don't want to see that again," said Denver resident Anthony Quinones.

Denver police were reluctant to give the exact number of officers on the street for security reasons, but they say it's in the thousands.

Officials say the pepper spray incident Monday night was not aimed at the crowd, but rather those trying to challenge officers who refused to cooperate.