“The costs of the war are terrible, and I think that we need to understand that many people’s lives have been sacrificed,” said Ann Francis, a representative for the organization.

“I think it’s extremely important that we understand the suffering of the people in this war.”

Of the 4,000 deaths, 149 were Michigan residents, Francis said.

As students crisscrossed Grand River Avenue going to and from campus, protesters recited the names of Michigan’s fallen soldiers into a loudspeaker. The protesters ranged in age from high school students to senior citizens.

John Hettinger, a computer science graduate student, said he has several friends and family members serving in Iraq. Hettinger said he doesn’t agree with the war and wants troops to be withdrawn.

“I’m working in the best interest of the troops because I want them home and safe, not facing car bombs and improvised explosive devices,” Hettinger said.

In addition to the deaths, about 30,000 U.S. soldiers have been wounded in the war, according to the U.S. Department of Defense. While there are no official figures for the number of Iraqi civilians who have died, conservative estimates are that hundreds of thousands have been killed since the war began.

Ken Harrow, an English professor at MSU, said he came to the protest to draw attention to the senselessness of the deaths.

“You can’t look at (the number) without asking, ‘What did they die for?’” Harrow said. “Thousands of young men’s lives have come to an end and their families are bereft of them.”

As the protesters waved signs on the grassy median between lanes of traffic, the air was filled with the noise of honking car horns and shouts of encouragement, as well as the occasional insult.

“People all have opinions about this war, but what I think is important is that you can support the troops by saying that you want the war to end,” Francis said.

“It’s not unpatriotic to oppose a failed policy and a war that’s not ending the suffering in the Middle East or making America safer.”