Anti-Islam film protesters clash with Greek police

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Anti-Islam film protesters clash with Greek police

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Demonstrators clashed with police in Greece during a rally against anti-Islam film.

24 September,2012 05:53 am

Greek riot police used tear gas and pepper spray to disperse Muslim protesters who clashed with officers Sunday during a rally against an anti-Islam film produced in the US. No injuries were reported.In Athens, six people were detained during the demonstration at a central square, police said. About 600 people attended the rally, which featured heated speeches, but was mostly peaceful.The crowd then wanted to march to the US Embassy, which is about three kilometers (two miles) away from Omonia Square. Some tried to break through police lines several times, but riot officers pushed them back.The violence occurred at the end of the rally, when small groups of protesters threw objects at police. Three cars were damaged and three storefronts smashed.Banners were displayed in English, denouncing the film and called on the U.S. to hang the filmmaker. One told President Barack Obama we are all with Osama, referring to Osama bin Laden, the al-Qaida leader who was killed in a U.S. raid in Pakistan in May 2011.Anti-Islam film has sparked violent protests throughout the Muslim world for nearly two weeks. The violence linked to protests over the film has resulted in the deaths of at least 49 people, including the U.S. ambassador to Libya.About 300 Iranian students protested against the caricatures that appeared in the French weekly. They rallied in front of the French Embassy in Tehran, burning French, U.S. and Israeli flags and chanting death to France and down with the U.S. They called for the expulsion of French ambassador to Iran.In Bangladesh, schools and businesses were closed and transportation was disrupted across the south Asian country as hardline Islamic groups protesting the film enforced a general strike.The strike was called in response to police action Saturday against supporters of the groups who rallied in the capital, Dhaka, to denounce the film. Dozens of people were arrested and scores injured Saturday as protesters clashed with police. Several vehicles were burned, including a police van. No violence was immediately reported during Sundays strike.About 300 Christians, Sikhs, Hindus and Muslims peacefully rallied in Pakistans capital, Islamabad, to protest the film.There will be no peace in the world until we respect each others religion, Sikh leader Deedar Singh said.The protesters marched about a 1 kilometer (just over a half mile) on Islamabads main avenue near the parliament building.