As more than 150 anti-war protesters gathered in the HUB parking lot Saturday, peace activist Stephen Roy urged the participants to demonstrate non-violently.

"Do not engage in loud conversation (if confronted by opposition)," said Roy, who helped organize the peace march. "Members of the media may be here and any such conflict they'll focus on, instead of the message we're trying to get across."

Less than two minutes after Roy offered that advice, and while the peace marchers filed out of the HUB parking lot to begin their parade, they were confronted. About nine counter-demonstrators began chanting "U-S-A, U-S-A," "It's too late for peace" and "Support our troops."

The groups passed each other without incident.

The counter-protesters, some dressed in camoflauge pants and combat boots, followed the marchers shouting, "We gave peace a chance; it's too late."

Jon Franckowiak, wearing a Desert Storm T-shirt, told reporters peace demonstrations are bad for troop morale.

"I think this is bull; we should be supporting the troops," said Franckowiak (junior-exercise and sport science). "Peace is a nice idea, but it's not going to happen. It's too late."

Wayne Stitt (sophomore-architecture) said, "If you're American, support the president and rally around him and follow what he enacts. We want to bring the troops home, but wait till they're finished with their mission."

The counter-protesters said they live in the same dorm and most said they have friends or relatives stationed in the gulf.

The shouts of the counter-protesters did not evoke much response from the peace marchers.

"I hate to see it, but then again, I understand it," said peace marcher Christian Siebott (senior-human development and family studies). "They have the right, just like we do, to speak out."

After the parade ended, some counter-protesters entered the Wesley Foundation, 256 E. College Ave., and presented their views to the anti-war demonstrators.

After waiting quietly for about two hours through a number of anti-war speeches and a brief guitar sing-along, the counter-demonstrators got a chance to speak.

"You want peace," said Dave Strock (junior-psychology). "It's too late; we're in a state of war. If we pull out, then (Saddam Hussein) will attack Saudi Arabia."

Strock said reports of anti-war rallies reach the soldiers in the Middle East and hurt troop morale.

"Marching for peace and saying you want them home isn't support. It really irritates them. To them, it's a slap in the face," he said. "What they really want is for people to say, 'We support you and why you're there.' "

Stitt said the American people should rally behind their troops, not criticize them and label them "baby killers" as they did after the Vietnam War.

"My father came home from Vietnam and was spit on at the airport," he said. "I would give my life for this country and I hope some of you would to."

Stitt said withdrawing U.S. forces from the gulf would result in a catastrophe.

"If we pull out of Saudi Arabia and leave our allied forces there, they will fall," he said.

Organizers of the march thanked the counter-protesters for having the courage to speak out.