The report comes from the Associated Press who reports that police used chemical spray and stun devices to curb protesters trying to access a city hall meeting pending the decision.

The protesters who had sought entry to the max capacity meeting were stalled at an iron gate separating council chambers from city hall.

Some of the over 50 who came to confront the city council were arrested, and it remains unclear if any were injured, though AP reported an ambulance called to the scene.

Protesters gathered asking that the Department of Housing and Urban Development reject plans to destroy the city's housing projects.

The department, who is expected to vote in favor of demolishing the projects damaged by Katrina, wants to take advantage of tax credits and plans to build a new mixed income development.

On the other side, opponents have called a demolition racist, saying it would force poor black residents out of the city creating a lack of affordable housing.

"It is beyond callous, and can only be seen as malicious discrimination. It is an unabashed attempt to eliminate the black population of New Orleans," Kali Akuno, a group organizer was quoted by the AP.

“Besides opening fissures between whites and blacks, the clash has divided along political party lines,” says the AP.

Democratic presidential contenders Barrack Obama and John Edwards have spoken out against the demolition, says the AP, while some republican lawmakers have backed it, drafting a letter in favor of redevelopment.