Muslim protesters gathered Saturday in Sydney to express anger over the amateur film that mocks the Prophet Muhammad and has incited violent protests in the Muslim world. Six people were arrested after clashes with the police reports the Australia Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).
Australian Immigration Minister Chris Bowen said that any “non-citizens” who were arrested and charged for taking part in violent protests in Sydney over an anti-Islamic film might be deported.
“Clearly this is not done in the name of Islam and it is not done in the name of multiculturalism; it’s done in the name of thuggery, nothing short of that,” he said, according to the ABC. He added, “This is just criminal behavior, nothing short of that.”
Six Sydney police officers were injured during clashes with protesters who demonstrated against an amateurish, crudely made film that paints Islam and the Prophet Muhammad in a negative light, according to the broadcaster.
The protest may have been sparked via a mass text message sent to cell phones, which read: “They are mocking him in a movie, why are we allowing this, why are we silenced, we must defend his honor,” according to the ABC.
Authorities believe there might be a second wave of violent protests over the film.
“Our fear is that extremist elements in Australia and other countries are using this YouTube video to incite hatred and incite violence in pursuit of long-held goals,” said Deputy Opposition Leader Julie Bishop according to Sky News Australia.
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