Anchorage Daily News

Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the Loussac Library in Midtown Anchorage Saturday in a rally against Gov. Sarah Palin candidacy for vice president. At least 100 of Palin supporters are on the other side of the street.

The protest came two hours after the governor held a morning rally in downtown Anchorage, attended by as many as 1,500 cheering supporters, then flew off to Nevada to resume campaigning. It's the first public demonstration against Palin since she accepted McCain's offer on Aug. 29.

The protesters included a mix of Obama supporters, anti-war protesters, abortion-rights advocates and people upset that Palin asked a Wasilla librarian about removing books from the Wasilla library.

Protesters said they were surprised at the size of the crowd, and said it was the result of e-mails that have been forwarded over the past few days about the event.

"I was stunned when I was coming here; I've never seen anything like this," said Marybeth Holleman of Anchorage.

At least a half-dozen police patrol cars are at the scene, but there have been no confrontations or traffic problems reported.

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