The march started in a muddy part of park land near the Lincoln Memorial and made its way over a bridge into Virginia to the cold asphalt in one of the Pentagon's massive parking lots.

"This is what democracy looks like!" a crowd of protesters yelled as the march began.

Counterprotesters — war supporters, veterans, military members and others — lined the sidewalk across the street from the marchers. U.S. Park Police, in full riot gear, were there to keep the two sides apart. While there were loud and sometimes colorful verbal exchanges between the two groups, there was no violence.

As the marchers carried signs calling for impeachment and an end to the war, the counterprotesters carried signs saying "Stand behind our president," "God bless the military," "Safe since 9-11" and "America: Home of the free because of the brave."

When the marchers crossed into Virginia, a band of counterprotesters stood outside Arlington National Cemetery with a banner saying "Go to hell traitors. You dishonor our dead on hallowed ground."

Bo Scott, 45, of Newport News, Va., rode with his chapter of the U.S. Military Vets Motorcycle Club to make sure no one defaced any of the monuments.

He called the anti-war protesters and those lining the street to support the war "a beautiful thing" — something he has fought to protect.

"My tolerance of that stops when they start defacing monuments, though," said Scott, who goes by the nickname "Ghost." He also wanted the active military fighting overseas "to see that they have support."

Scott said the anti-Bush protesters have every right to call for Bush's impeachment but that he "wouldn't run around with a sign saying 'impeach Bush."'

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E-mail: suzanne@desnews.com