Protesters attacked the vice president over what they called the Bush administration's "unnecessary" war on Iraq, allowing oil and gas development in wilderness-quality public lands, rolling back protections on road- less areas in national forests and a long list of other issues. Groups behind the protest included the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance and the Utah Public Interest Research Group.

A woman who gave her name as only Maggie was part of a small contingent of Lyndon LaRouche supporters who waved their posters at passers-by on Main Street and sang "This Land Is Your Land."

"We all know what Cheney has done," she said, attacking the administration's decision to go to war without clear evidence of weapons of mass destruction. "We really waste a lot of lives - and tax dollars, too."

Sisters Elizabeth and Kathleen Payne participated even though they were not part of an organized group.

"Our families are very supportive," said Elizabeth, sporting a T-shirt stamped with Bush's image and the word "liar." "It's the right thing to do, and we are standing up for our beliefs."

Salt Lake City resident Dave Heiblin said he was unhappy with the current administration's environmental policies, especially for stepping up energy development on public lands.

"They're not looking at the long term," he said. "They're looking for quick money."

John Veranth, a University of Utah professor and chairman of the state Air Quality Board, said he turned out to help promote a shift toward the political center.

"I've always said America's energy policy is 'cheap at any cost,' and we are paying for it in the Middle East and in wilderness."

fahys@sltrib.com