Police in Baku resorted to arrests and violence on 21 May to prevent isolated groups of would-be participants in an opposition rally from convening at the designated venue. Police beat hundreds of would-be participants and detained at least 149. Several journalists attempting to cover the rally were assaulted and beaten. Police also forcibly dispersed some 100 opposition supporters who congregated outside the U.S. Embassy to request Washington\'s support for democracy in Azerbaijan. The Baku municipal authorities last week refused permission to stage the rally, organized by the Ugur (Success) opposition election bloc, and on 20 May Baku Mayor Hajibala Abutalibov warned the organizers that police would take the necessary measures to prevent it. Ali Kerimli, chairman of the progressive wing of the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party which co-organized the rally, said on 21 May that the authorities\' reaction showed that \"the authorities are not ready to hold democratic elections but want to usurp power again.\" (Turan)