MADISON, Wis. -- Anti-war protesters gathered outside the Madison middle school where the president gave a speech to about 500 students, school members and invited guests Wednesday.

Dennis Coyier, of Cottage Grove, held a large sign that said "End the War." He said he voted for Obama in 2008 and he was wearing a button supporting his re-election in 2012. The 62-year-old Coyier said most of those protesting had voted for Obama with the hope that he would change the direction of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

A couple dozen other protesters held signs supporting universal health care and in favor of allowing illegal immigrants who graduate from U.S. high schools to earn permanent residency.

There were about 100 protesters a couple hours before the president's speech.

There was also a "Books Not Bombs" peace press conference at the intersection of Fish Hatchery Road and Wingra. Protesters said they want the president to end the costly wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"Every one soldier sent to Afghanistan costs another $1 million a year, (and) 40,000 more soldiers sent to Afghanistan will cost $40 billion more a year," said peace activist Buzz Davis.

"They are taking the money that would cure your child's illness, that would treat your elderly parent, that would house the homeless, that would educate the children who need education to fund an occupation that is not wanted and makes the condition of the Afghan people worse," said John Nichols, of the Capital Times.

The demonstration was a joint effort between multiple anti-war groups in the area. Speakers at the event included military veterans from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.