Protesters speak out, get counterprotested on Grand River Avenue

Although Allison Saxby's husband is in the Army in Texas waiting for deployment to the Middle East, she stood on the median on Grand River Avenue protesting the war.

"He wants to go fight and I think it's a bunch of crap," she said holding a sign that said "Peace is Patriotism." "We have different feelings."

Saxby was among about 100 protesters standing on one of the city's busiest areas holding candles as they delayed traffic.

During the protest, passing motorists honked horns while some passers-by protested the protesters.

"We're going to war. Get over it," and "damn liberals" were shouted as cars drove down the street.

The protesters said they don't believe several of the Bush Administration's reasons for war, including the argument they are trying to liberate the Iraqi people.

"I think it's a personal thing between him and Saddam," Saxby, a business freshman at Lansing Community College, said. "He's just finishing what his dad did."

Others also disagreed that war will save lives in the long run.

"I don't think we should kill innocent people," LCC marine biology freshman Crystal Underwood said. "It's just as bad as what they are doing."

Jacquelyn Winkler, a 20-year-old Lansing resident, said sanctions on Iraq being lifted would do more good than war.

"It's all about oil," she said. "That's got to be the strongest motivating factor."