They participated to commemorate the people who died on Sept. 11, 2001, and to demonstrate their opposition to the war in Iraq.

“We were walking down the street and saw the happening,” said David, a no-preference major.

“We decided to show our support because we agree with the cause.”

About 100 other community members shared the same sentiment Tuesday from 5-6:30 p.m. on the median of Grand River Avenue in East Lansing, between Abbott Road and M.A.C. Avenue.

“I’m sick of what’s going on, and I feel like people aren’t doing enough about it,” said Vonck, a physics major.

“So when I see people doing something about it, I have to join in and show my support.”

Participants held signs reading “honk for peace” and “troops home now,” while others banged drums and other objects.

The protest, coordinated by the Greater Lansing Network Against War and Injustice was designed to prove to political leaders that the majority of people in the community are opposed to the war, said Margaret Kingsbury, one of the event’s coordinators.

“We are here protesting today because it’s 9/11 and we want to commemorate those who died,” said Kingsbury, a nurse and peaceworker in Lansing.

“We want to say no more 9/11’s anywhere, and we also want to say stop the war and bring the troops.”

Lansing resident Michelle Blasky said there are so many other things the country could be doing with the money being spent on the war, such as fighting homelessness.

“I just really want the war to end,” Blasky said. “We’re spending too much money – if something were to happen in this country, there wouldn’t be enough troops here.

“The effects of the war are really hurting us as a country.”

The war is hurting the way people perceive the United States throughout the world, said Ken Harrow, an event coordinator and MSU English professor.

“The war has aroused opposition to the U.S. around the world,” Harrow said.

“As long as we occupy Iraq, we’re continuing to feed that anti-American sentiment.”