Demonstrators Hold Anti-War Protest Downtown
(CBS) -- There was a protest outside the Kluczynski Federal Building downtown three hours before President Obama's speech, but it was easy to miss.
Fewer than 20 people took part in the rally, which was drowned out by an Oktoberfest musical show on Federal Plaza. As a result, federal security moved the protesters around the corner to the Jackson Boulevard side of the building.
The protesters huddled around a banner that bore photos of Presidents Obama and George W. Bush, which read, "War crimes must be stopped -- no matter who does them."
Protest organizer Andy Thayer laid the blame for the unrest in Syria at the feet of both administrations. He said every move the U.S. military has made in the region over the past 11 years has ultimately backfired, and said many of those fighting today as Islamic State militants were radicalized because of U.S. intervention.
The protesters disbanded after a half hour. There were no arrests.