Thousands in Sri Lanka protest anti-Islam film
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COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) - Thousands of Sri Lankan Muslims have protested an American-made film that denigrates the Prophet Muhammad, demanding the United States (US) ban it and punish its creators.
More than 5,000 protesters blocked traffic as they marched on a main road on Monday in the capital, Colombo, carrying signs and banners that read "USA ban the film on YouTube," " Punishment for those involved," and "Our hearts are wounded and chests full of anger."
Protest organiser Kamil Hussain urged the US to ban the film, Innocence Of Muslims, and remove it from YouTube, saying "insulting a religious leader is not freedom of speech." Protesters also displayed banners that called for boycotting American brands such as Coca-Cola and McDonald's.
American leaders have denounced the film, but US free speech rights mean it's not a crime there.
