As Republicans awaited the arrival of vice presidential candidate Dick Cheney in the Agricultural Arena last night, about 50 protestors demonstrated across the street — at least six of whom had been thrown out of the Republican rally.

Most of the demonstrators were members of the Penn State College Democrats. Holding signs for Democratic ticket candidates Al Gore and Joe Lieberman, the group shouted Gore and anti-Cheney chants at passing pedestrians and motorists. "Dick Cheney go away! Sexist, racist, anti-gay!" the protesters yelled as others chanted "Go Al, Go!"

Several people joined the group after being thrown out of the arena by Penn State Police Services. Maggie Benoit (graduate-geophysics), Linda Smolka (graduate-mathematics) and two others said they were told to leave after cheering for Gore and holding up a Gore sign.

Benoit said she and Smolka were forced to leave because they were sitting near a friend who had a Gore sign.

"Neither of us were holding signs," she said. "It was guilt by association."

Smolka said an officer told her she had to leave because she chanted for Gore during one of the Republican cheers. "I asked 'Do I have to leave because I said Gore?' and he said 'yes,' " Smolka said.

Penn State Police Officer Stewart Neff was not familiar with the expelled protesters' cases, but said the Republicans were not allowing outside signs into the arena. Neff said he also saw officials checking Cheney and Bush signs at the door.

"The facility was leased by the Republicans," Neff said. "I assume it was the regulations in there, and they failed to comply with the requests.

Robyn Stephens (senior-sociology) and Ryan Riggle (senior-chemical engineering) said they were also thrown out of the arena after their anti-Bush signs were torn up.

Dressed as "Republican Billionaires," the costumed duo took signs reading "Billionaires for Bush," "Vote Bush: the Wealthy Need More Tax Credits," and "Corporations Love Republicans" to the rally. Not allowed to enter the rally with the signs, Stephens said officers told her they could leave the signs in the lobby and pick them up afterwards.

Stephens said police officers and members of the Secret Service stood behind the couple the whole time they were in the arena. When they got ready to leave, they found their signs torn up next to the trash can. As they attempted to recover them from the trash, police and Secret Service members told them they had to leave, she said.

"They told us it's illegal for us to have brought signs to this," Stephens said.

The College Democrats' demonstration met with resistance before members arrived outside the arena. Originally scheduled and publicized for 6 p.m. outside the arena, the venue was changed to the steps of Old Main yesterday afternoon when the group could not obtain a permit from university officials for the protest.

An administrator told College Democrat President Jeff Wetzel that the students would be arrested if they attempted to protest, Alison Altman, the group's vice president, said.

When State College resident Ron Brourman heard about the university's threats, he was appalled. "I'm disgusted that the university has decided to limit our First Amendment rights. . . and partition our group away from the vice presidential candidate," he said. "It's an outrage.

"First Amendment rights should apply to everyone," Brourman said. "This is free speech."

Altman and about 20 others decided to demonstrate anyway, independent of the College Democrats' rally. The demonstrators didn't want to get the organization in trouble but still wanted to express their First Amendment rights, Altman said.

But when the group arrived, police told them that Penn State had a designated protest area across the street. The 40 College Democrats who met at Old Main marched across campus to join Altman's group when they heard of the approved venue.

Altman said she was ecstatic about the large turnout, adding she hoped the group would make the Democrats' presence felt on campus and in the area.

Christopher Winters, president of Pennsylvania Young Democrats, came to the protest in support of the students. He encouraged them to work 24 hours a day through Election Day, adding that college students can make a difference in Tuesday's election.

"You guys are the frontline," he said. "You guys are going to win this election."