PJ: Many democracies around the world have "hate crime" laws as well as "free speech" laws. But they, unlike the US, believe that hate-fill actions and rhetoric that may incite violence must be controlled. In this situation, it is unlikely that the US will take any action against the Florida Pastor who is at the base of the violence in Afghanistan and who is responsible for inflaming the hatred of Americans in the Muslim world.
Pajhwok Afghan News
8 protestors killed, 61 injured in Kandahar
by Pajhwok Report on 2 April, 2011 - 13:35
KANDAHARCITY (PAN): At least eight protestors were killed and 61 others wounded when a protest against the Quran burning incident turned violent in southern Kandahar city, the capital of Kandahar province, officials and witnesses said on Saturday.
Hundreds of people carried out the demonstration at the Shahidan square in the city, chanting slogans against the US and the Afghan government.
The governor's spokesman, Zalmay Ayubi, confirmed that eight people have been killed and 61 others wounded. All the dead and wounded were civilians, he said, adding police fired into the air to disperse the protestors.
The incident came a day after 10 foreign workers with the United Nations Mission in Afghanistan were killed during a similar protest in the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif.
Head of the Mirwais hospital in Kandahar city, Dr. Abdul Qayum, confirmed receiving five dead bodies and 38 injured people at the hospital.
However, he said a number of injured people had been taken to private clinics.
Ayubi said gunmen had joined the protestors to turn the demonstration violent.
Laced with guns and sticks, the protestors also attacked a number of media people covering the event.
A Pajhwok reporter at the scene, Bashir Ahmad Naadem, said he was severely beaten up by protestors who broke his camera and his one finger.
"Protestors were beating me as policemen looked on," he said. Naadem said the mob also pelted stones at a convoy of foreign troops, who opened fire at them.
Gunfire between protestors and police was exchanged at many locations, according to Naadem. The protestors also set fire to a number of shops and buildings at the Shahidan square, Madad square and Herat bazaar and other areas.
They also burned several vehicles and hurled stones at police who were trying to control the mob.
The governor's spokesman said police have so far been able to control the mob and keep the angry men in separate groups in three locations of the city.
Smoke billowed from at least half a dozen locations as the entire city was locked down with almost all shops and restaurants remaining shut.
The recent protests were held in response to an incident in which a US preacher burned a copy of the Koran on March 21 in Florida in the United States.
Four Nepalese security guards and three Europeans were among those killed in Mazar-e-Sharif, the capital of Balkh province on Friday.
Similar demonstrations were also reported in the capital Kabul and western city of Herat on Friday, while hundreds of protesters also took to the streets in the capital city of the northern province of Takhar on Saturday.
ma/myn
http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2011/04/02/8-protestors-killed-61-injured-kandahar
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