Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., shook off anti-war protesters who heckled her during an appearance in Chicago.

As a small, boisterous group chanted, Troops out now! and held signs that read, Hillary supports war, Clinton raised her voice and told them she understood their concerns and would address them if they would be quiet, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.

The dozen young men and women twice interrupted Clinton Saturday as she addressed 4,000 people at the newly formed American Democracy Institute's youth summit in Roosevelt University's Auditorium Theatre.

The protesters were escorted out before Clinton touched on Iraq at the end of a 40-minute speech, the newspaper said.

Clinton reiterated her stance that the United States should start withdrawing troops if the Iraqis vote for an effective, responsible government that will ensure the rights of minorities and women.

"I do not believe we have an easy choice here. I disagree with those who believe we should pull out, and I disagree with those who believe we should stay without end," she said.