Anti-war demonstrators at the UW resorted to megaphones after police pulled the plug on their microphone Thursday morning.

The demonstrators eventually marched toward a military recruiting office. There they met with students rallying in support of U.S. troops.
Students, veterans and rally-goers belted out all sorts of messages to each other.

But central to the protest outside the UW's Bascom Hall -- walk out of class! "Oppose the occupation by walking out of classes today," yelled one student.

All to say no to war, no to military recruiters on campus. UW student Lydia Barbash-Riley says, "it is their form of free speech to be here; however, what we really object is to the military right now is a bigoted institution with a don't ask don't tell policy."

Chancellor John Wiley watched the demonstration begin. He says, "I don't imagine that anyone authorized them to speak for the students who are veterans or the ROTC students, or the students who'd like to speak to recruiters."

The mother of a Blackhawk pilot supports the troops but not their recruiters inside schools. Jane Jensen says, "if people want to join, they can join, they are being coerced and talked into joining.

She spoke before the crowd until complaints about the noise prompted police to pull the plug. "I would say we got complaints of our own ... " one student replied.

Police stood by while protestors resorted to megaphones.
"We have a right to demonstrate, this is not a police state," some chanted.

Meantime, blocks away, outside a military recruiting office ...
Other students chanted "USA, USA."

Students say they stood in defense of those who fight for freedom.
Nicole Marklein says, "we wanted to show our recruiters we appreciate them. We appreciate the fact that we have a volunteer army and not a draft."

"They're gonna be here soon ... keep it positive," one yelled.

And they did. Two different groups, two different messages. One noisy demonstration of a freedom everybody holds dear.

A recruiter inside that office thanked the students demonstrating in support of the troops. A meeting is scheduled for next week between the chancellor and "stop the war" demonstrators to discuss concerns.