An impromptu antiwar march Sunday afternoon through downtown Lawrence caught motorists, pedestrians and police by surprise.

About 40 people waded into traffic at Sixth and Massachusetts streets, carrying a large banner and other signs that called for an end to U.S. imperialism and “Hands off Iraq.”

Included in the group were some men and women wearing bandannas over their faces who identified themselves only as anarchists.

Motorists and marchers gingerly avoided each other for about a block as police moved in to set up an escort and block traffic.

The marchers then took a meandering route along Massachusetts and Vermont streets to the steps of the Douglas County Courthouse at 11th and Massachusetts. The group broke up after a short rally.

Some people watching from the sidewalk shouted encouragement to the marchers, but at least one man angrily yelled at them and called them traitors.

“I’d say most of the people were supportive,” said Chris Kellogg, one of the marchers. “There were a few that were angry, but that’s understandable. This is a pretty emotional time.”

Another marcher, a man who had his face covered and identified himself only as an anarchist called “Chubby,” complimented the police.

“It was very nice of them to stop traffic for us,” Chubby said.

At the same time, the man said he was wearing the mask because he didn’t trust the police and didn’t want them to know his identity.

Demonstrators protesting the United States-led war in Iraq march down Massachusetts Street. About 50 participants, including some self-described anarchists, marched Sunday from Sixth to 11th streets.

A woman who also had her face covered and who carried a red and black flag that she said represented anarchists, said the protest march was hastily arranged. She said the group originally considered marching down Iowa Street but decided they didn’t have enough people.

Earlier, the group had gathered in the parking lot at the Lied Center on the Kansas University campus to discuss its plans. The group was watched from a distance by several Lawrence Police and KU Public Safety officers who sat in patrol and unmarked cars.

Police later watched as the group gathered at Sixth and Massachusetts streets. When the march began, a patrol car moved in behind the group and other officers set up ahead and blocked traffic at intersections.

Police made no attempt to stop the marchers.

“We’re just trying to keep anybody from getting run over,” Sgt. Dave Hubbel said. “It would have been nice if they had called and told us what they were going to do and we could have got set up for them, and maybe even put out some barricades.”

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Hubbel said the marchers weren’t breaking any laws and officers were trying to get traffic stopped for them.

“They weren’t hurting anybody,” Hubbel said.

Some of the anarchists said they didn’t trust the police because they were being videotaped during the march.

Hubbel, who was doing the videotaping, said it was done because some of the marchers were wearing face coverings.

“We didn’t know what they were going to do,” Hubbel said. “It was unusual behavior.”

Scott Wilkinson, 21, Lawrence, was walking near Vermont Street when the marchers paraded by. He said he found it ironic that the group wanted to stop the killing in a war against Saddam Hussein, who has a dismal human rights record.

“But I also think it’s great that they can do this,” Wilkinson said. “Somebody’s got to do it.”