Thousands of South Korean university students and civic activists take part in a mass demonstration in Gwangju to protest the deployment of US Patriot missiles on May 15, 2005. (Xinhua/AFP photo)

(Xinhua/AFP photo)

    GWANGJU, South Korea, May 15 (Xinhuanet) -- Thousands of South Korean university students and civic activists took part in a mass demonstration here on Sunday to protest the deployment of US Patriot missiles, the South Korea news agency reported.

    Washington deployed two upgraded Patriot anti-air missile batteries in the southwestern city of Gwangju in November as part of its 11 billion US dollars "force improvement program."

    The move drew strong protests from Gwangju residents who concerned about an expansion of the United States military presence in the city.

    About 3,000 protesters scuffled with police after tearing apart barbed wire while trying to get onto the base of the South Korean Air Force's 1st Fighter Wing in Gwangju where the new US missiles are being deployed, witnesses said.

    When the demonstration turned violent, police increased security around the military base and used water cannons to disperse protesters. Enditem