Protesters, police getting along

Manhattan School of Music students Katherine Thomas and Gina Izzo, both 21, chatted with Officer Mitchell from New York police as they protested outside Columbia at 116th Street and Broadway. There are still plenty of protesters at the entrance to the university — with lots of police close by — but police thus far have left the protesters alone.

Both Thomas and Izzo said the police have been respectful of protesters. "They're doing their duty. It's a good thing — I feel safe," said Thomas.

Thomas and Izzo said they didn't know about the protests beforehand, but they decided to join as they walked by.

"I don't believe McCain and Bush know what they are doing at all," said Thomas, adding that even her friends in Iraq think they should be coming home.