Holding white balloons, 300 anti-war protestors gathered on the south lawn of the Montana State Capitol on Thursday, little more than 17 hours after the opening volley of a second war with Iraq.

The demonstration followed those in major world cities, including Cairo and Washington, D.C.

Frank Kromkowski of the Helena Peace Seekers told the audience that President Bush's order to attack Iraq late Wednesday night marked the beginning of an illegal, unjustified and unprovoked war.

"A formal declaration of war has not been made, but the president of the United States has nevertheless ordered our men and women serving in uniform into harm's way, to kill and be killed, without legal or moral authority," Kromkowski said. "This war and the president's illegal actions must be stopped immediately."

Kromkowski said the U.S. has failed to provide credible evidence about the danger posed by Iraq. To a round of cheers, he also said the U.S. was operating on hypocrisy, expecting from the world what it was not itself willing to do.

"This double standard suggests a different rationale for an Iraq invasion: oil and the power of those who profit from war," Kromkowski said.

Katie Knight of Helena led demonstrators in a "Nonviolence Pledge" that vowed respect toward all and called for civil disobedience to express opposition to the war. Two hours later, nine protestors were arrested for blocking the south entry of the Capitol building.

"We know this action is part of an ongoing, protracted campaign," Knight read from the pledge. "We will continue to work in our own community — and our nation — to promote peace with justice."

Several legislators — all Democrats — addressed the audience, including Sen. Ken Toole and Rep. Christine Kaufmann, both of Helena.

"Can we really afford this?" Kaufmann asked the audience.

Kaufmann said that while the Legislature squabbled over funding bills, Montana's share of the war — $154 million — could be applied toward the state's underfunded social issues, such as day care, healthcare and teachers salaries, instead of another military conflict in the Middle East.

Other speakers included retired Methodist minister and World War II veteran Bob Holmes.

"I certainly do support our troops if that means praying for their safety," Holmes said, adding that his prayers are with America's troops.

Another protestor said it was patriotic to support peace, and one poster read, "Prayer for peace: Work for impeachment."

Daniel Glenn, a professor of architecture at Montana State University-Bozeman, brought his two daughters, 4-year-old Josie and 2-year-old Ellie, to the demonstration.

"I brought my family here because children are being killed right now, and that's a tragedy," Glenn said. "As an educator, I believe we need to speak out to our young people, and give them another voice they're not hearing."

Reporter Martin Kidston can be reached at 447-4086, or by e-mail at mkidston@helenair.com.