Protesters clash with Chicago police, injure officers during effort to topple Columbus statue

Protesters clashed Friday night with Chicago police, injuring several officers during a failed attempt to topple the statue of Christopher Columbus in the city's historic Grant Park.

Police deployed pepper spray on crowds, which eventually dispersed, according to WLS-TV, the ABC affiliate in Chicago.

Protesters set off fireworks and hurled bottles and soda cans at police, injuring some officers, the station reported.

The Chicago Fire Department says that at least four members of the crowd were also injured and taken to a hospital, none seriously.  Several arrests were reported.