As war efforts in Iraq accelerated during the first weekend of battle, Lansing area pro-war and anti-war protesters shouted their opinions for all to hear.
On Saturday, "Rally for America" at the state Capitol in Lansing drew an estimated 500 gatherers, many of whom supported war efforts by holding signs that read: "Support Bush" or "God Bless America."
A day earlier, more than 100 people spoke out against the war, blocking one of the busiest sections of Grand River Avenue in East Lansing. Police arrested 14 demonstrators during the morning protest.
Protesters placed yellow caution tape across poles on Grand River Avenue and Abbott Road, while stationing a car in the middle of the intersection, blocking traffic.
Several of the protesters formed a human chain around the car and shouted "The world needs us in the streets. We won't back down, we won't retreat."
A few minutes later, about 15 officers wearing face guards, mostly from the East Lansing Police Department, approached the group after warning them they could be arrested for unlawful assembly by blocking traffic.
Todd Mireles, who helped hold a large banner protesting the war, was one of the first protesters approached by officers. After East Lansing police Lt. Tom Johnstone explained to him he could be arrested, he moved to the sidewalk.
"I'm really impressed with how brave everybody is," the journalism senior said. "This is the type of thing that makes a country great - to have great dialogue."
Officers from several area departments were on hand to assist with patrolling the protest. Despite the arrests, police and protesters remained generally cordial, communicating throughout the morning.
While traffic was cut off from Michigan to M.A.C. avenues, a Capital Area Transportation Authority bus was trapped between the taped area of road. Police cut the tape and rerouted the bus around the protesters.
As she reversed the bus to take her passengers to their destinations, bus driver Linda Middaugh said, "I think people have a right to their own opinion, but I disagree with it."
Middaugh wasn't the only motorist who disagreed with the protesters. Several people shouted at the group and other motorists were seen flashing their middle fingers. However, many gave the group thumbs up and honked their horns in support.
Police officers eventually removed or arrested all the protesters who made a human chain around the spray-painted car stationed on Grand River Avenue.
Police officers then arrested East Lansing resident Amy Field, who sat in the car honking and shouting during the protest. Field is a member of the Lansing-based activist group Direct Action.
As tears streamed from some protesters' eyes, Field yelled, "We're going to stop the war!"
During the Sunday pro-war rally at the Capitol, Dawn Connor, 38, a small business owner from Grand Rapids, said, "Mainstream America is getting tired of the anti-war protests. They're devastating to us, and they're devastating to our troops."
Laurence Bates, a computer engineer at MSU, attended Sunday's rally to show support for British troops and Prime Minister Tony Blair.
"I think he's excellent," said Bates, who is from Great Britain and became an American citizen five years ago. "I like the logicality of his actions. It's a mature position."
Troubles for both U.S. and British troops in the early going of the war shouldn't force the nation to stray from the effort to disarm Iraq, Bates said.
"No one said this was going to be a cakewalk," he said.
Sergio DiMartino, who works for a Lansing-area security company, said he helped organize the rally to show support of the U.S. troops in Iraq.
"When you turn on the TV all you see is the anti," said DiMartino, 26. "We just wanted to show the world where we really stand."
After Friday's anti-war rally, 12 of the arrested protesters were arraigned by 54-B District Court Judge David Jordon. All of the protesters pleaded not guilty to charges of disorderly conduct and impeding traffic inside the hot, over-capacity courtroom. Most of them flashed peace signs to about 60 people as they were escorted from the courtroom.
The protesters arraigned Friday will appear in court for a pre-trial scheduled for 1 p.m. on April 17.
Impeding traffic carries up to a $100 fine and the disorderly conduct charges carries up to 90 days in jail and/or a $500 fine.
"It was one of the most beautiful experiences in my life," said Direct Action member Lindsay Alexander, who was arrested. "Overall, the police involvement has been very great."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
