Area residents gathered Thursday in downtown East Lansing to protest President Bush's announcement that he will send an additional 21,500 troops to Iraq.

About 100 opponents of the war in Iraq waved signs calling for peace and the return of soldiers, as car horns blared in response at the corner of Grand River Avenue and Abbott Road.

"We're hoping to send a strong message to Washington that we want the escalation of the war to end," Haslett resident and rally attendee Linda Carrington said.

The demonstration was organized by the Greater Lansing Network Against War & Injustice, a nonviolent organization that advocates international peace.

Margaret Kingsbury, a Lansing resident and member of the group, wants the protest to garner the attention of government representatives.

"When you have enough numbers, it sends a very strong message to the people you've elected," Kingsbury said.

Grand Ledge resident John Baumgartner held a sign at the rally reading, "It's time for peace. Stop the war," one of many calling for an end to the conflict.

"I believe that escalating the war is not the solution," Baumgartner said.

On national television Wednesday night, President Bush announced an increase in the amount of American troops that will be sent to Iraq and took responsibility for mistakes made in the execution of the war.

"I think it was correct of him to admit that we made a mistake in the beginning, that we didn't send enough troops," said Jeff Wiggins, chairman of the MSU College Republicans. "The surge of 21,000 troops is a good idea, but if this fails, it's not going to do much for his credibility."

Staff writer Alex Altman contributed to this report.