ATLANTA -- In a scene that is occurring across the country and the globe, hundreds of people converged at Five Points in downtown Atlanta to protest the U.S.-led attack on Iraq.

At least 300 protestors from the Georgia Peace Coalition held signs and chanted before marching down Marietta Street, handing out leaflets. The antiwar protestors said they plan to return this weekend. The gathering increased in volume and in waves as the evening wore on.

"I don't agree with what the president is doing," protestor Whitney Kaybe said. "I believe there are other ways to solve conflict. This isn't the right way to do it."

A handful of pro-war protestors held signs at the rally as well.

Earlier in the day, more than 100 George State University students walked out of class Thursday morning to protest the war on Iraq. Professors expected the anti-war demonstration, and many let classes out early.

But students against the war found just as many students supporting the United States' actions Wednesday night in Baghdad.

"You're supposed to support our troops," said senior Kelley Buckley, of Lawrenceville, who added that she believes the anti-war movement is "a form of treason."

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Brandy Hayes, a sophomore from Peachtree City, joined the war protesters and said she "doesn't want a bunch of people killed for oil."

"There's only one reason for this war and that oil," she said. "Liberation is just propaganda."

Students against the war, who broke in with chants of "no blood for oil in Iraq," soon outnumbered war supporters. They also held signs reading "Pro-USA, Anti-War," "Bush Quit Hatin"' and "Stop Mad Cowboy Disease" while chanting over a megaphone.

Members of the university's Army ROTC program walked through the rally briefly in fatigues, but were instructed not to speak about the war while in uniform.

Cadet Cpl. Adam DiGiovanni, a sophomore from Flint, Mich., had changed out of his uniform Thursday morning and spoke against the anti-war protesters.

"I think these people are un-American," said DiGiovanni, whose father is a Vietnam veteran. "I have a personal tie to freedom and have the will to sacrifice for it."

Anti-war students said they were offended by such statements; they said they were concerned about the safety of the troops and the people of Iraq.

"To be un-American is to sit in silence," said Allison Gibbs, a sophomore from Vinings. "I love America so much, I want to change things."