Flag-bearing counter-protesters interrupted an anti-war demonstration on the steps of Pattee yesterday afternoon, prompting verbal exchanges between the opposing groups.

The counter-demonstrators interrupted anti-war speakers, shouting, "Support the troops."

Peace ralliers answered, "Bring them home."

Ari Storch (sophomore-liberal arts), grasping a large American flag, retorted, "Yeah, bring them home as soon as possible, but do not undermine their effort."

Many anti-war demonstrators said they supported the individual efforts of American soldiers, but were adamantly opposed to the war.

"It's important to understand that the people here are not against the troops," said Brooke Smokelin (junior-environmental resource management). "So many think this anti-war movement is anti-American. We want them home alive."

University Police Services estimated the rally drew about 100 protesters. Another 200 onlookers debated among themselves while anti-war speakers addressed the group over a microphone.

"This is one of the largest demonstrations this campus has seen in four or five years," said Andy McInerney, treasurer of Students and Youth Against Racism, the demonstration's sponsor.

Chanting "Hell no, we won't go. We won't fight for Texaco!" the demonstrators claimed U.S. actions in the gulf are a result of oil thirst.

"If Kuwait exported peanuts, of course we wouldn't be there," said Monica Somocurcio, the group's president.

Russell Suchana (sophomore-civil engineering) objected to the speakers' anti-war message.

"Oil and money are important," Suchana said. "We are a capitalist society."

Chants such as "What do we want? -- Troops out! When do we want it? -- Now!" reminded some of the 1960s protests against the Vietnam War.

"These left-wing 1960s throwbacks fail to understand that the international peace they seek must necessarily be backed with force," said Courtney Malveaux, a counter-protester.

But the demonstrators made it clear the gulf crisis is a different issue than Vietnam.

"This has nothing to do with the '60s, it has to do with today," said John Black, a State College resident who spoke at the rally.

Black urged students to get involved and speak out against the war. He said students feel removed right now, but "if there's a draft, we won't have a large enough place to rally."