[Editor’s Note: Tony Stevenson, a member of the Gathering Eagles says he was misquoted in this article. He labeled the Gathering Eagles as pro-troop, pro-America, pro-victory. This version of the story was edited on Nov. 20 to reflect his correct statement. The Technician regrets the error.]

A group of about 50 yelled through megaphones and cupped hands — “No justice, no peace. U.S. out of the Middle East,” including members of the N.C. State chapter of Students for a Democratic Society.

A few feet away, another group congregated, waving American flags and shouting responses.

More than a dozen police officers monitored the scene just outside Chapel Hill’s U.S. Army Recruiting Station.

Capt. Bob Overton of the Chapel Hill Police Department said officers warned the groups twice because “the property owners want these people out.”

“We are trying to speak with both groups and explain property rights laws to them,” Overton said. “At some point, they will have to get out of this property.”

Miles Holst, member of Students for a Democratic Society and senior in art and design, said he and several other NCSU students joined UNC-Chapel Hill’s SDS for the anti-war and military recruitment demonstration held Thursday on the first anniversary of the recruitment center’s opening.

“We totally support the troops,” Holst said. “But they are basically being used in an unjust war for corporate profits.”

Holst said military recruitment is like a “backdoor draft.”

“It’s preying on young people in the community,” he said.

Tony Stevenson, a member of Gathering of Eagles, said his disagreement with this stance brought him and his compatriots out to the rally.

Stevenson, a graduate student in chemistry at UNC-CH, said his organization is “pro-troop, pro-America, pro-victory,” and came out “to show that there’s another side.”

“[SDS says] the Iraq resistance is justice. … Personally, I don’t call that a peace rally,” he said.

Eagles learned of the protest from the SDS Web site and mobilized local members, according to Stevenson.

Holst said the appearance of Gathering of Eagles, which he described as “a very violent pro-war group,” did not surprise the demonstrators.

“We had anticipated them being there. … There’s nothing you can say to people like that,” he said. “Our strategy was basically to ignore them.”

Overton said the police presence was necessary due to the tension between the parties involved.

“Our roles is to keep the peace, enforce the law and provide for First Amendment rights,” he said.

The police began following the demonstrators when the group reached Franklin Street and took to the street, occupying much of the right lane of traffic.

The demonstration was a “pretty successful action” with “overwhelming support from the community,” despite the presence of the police and pro-war protesters, Holst said.

“People in their cars were opening up windows to give us the peace sign … and from their dorms,” he said. “We seemed to make a lot of noise.”

Stevenson said he did not find the protest’s efforts to be as effective.

“The people inside that center are the troops,” he said. “[SDS is] basically calling them liars.”

According to Holst, the SDS members unanimously approved of what transpired.

“We thought it was a good action,” he said. “You’ve got to have a smile. … Stopping the negativity can have a really positive effect.”