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Downing Street Condems Cartoon Protestors
The Telegraph (UK) ^ | 2-6-2006

Posted on 02/06/2006 3:54:09 PM PST by blam

Downing Street condemns cartoon protestors

(Filed: 06/02/2006)

Charles Clarke, the Home Secretary, has promised that the Government will support any action by police against the demonstrators involved in protests outside the Danish embassy last week.

Omar Khayam apologised for causing offence

In an emergency Commons statement, Mr Clarke said the police and prosecuting authorities were carrying out "rigorous assessments" about the appropriate way to proceed in individual cases.

"If the police conclude there have been breaches of the law and decide to take any action, we would, of course, support them," he told MPs

It came after Downing Street condemned the behaviour of some Muslims protesting at caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed over the weekend as "completely unacceptable".

Earlier, Peter Hain, the Northern Ireland Secretary, called for police to "bear down heavily" on any protestors who had broken the law during the demonstrations.

Mr Hain said the actions of some Muslims demonstrating against the cartoons in London had been "completely unacceptable and intolerable".

Some protestors carried placards threatening a repeat of the September 11 and July 7 atrocities following the publication of the cartoons across Europe.

Omar Khayam, a 22-year-old who had caused offence by dressing as a suicide bomber at the protest, apologised "unreservedly and wholeheartedly" for his actions, saying that he just wanted to make a point that free speech could upset people.

Scotland Yard said it was setting up a special squad to investigate extremist elements of the protest, promising a "swift inquiry" that would study video evidence and photographs published in newspapers.

Amid violence in cities across the world - which has seen three deaths in Afghanistan and several embassies set on fire - British-based Muslim groups condemned extreme aspects of the demonstrations here.

Mr Clarke said the Government stood in solidarity with its Danish counterpart, saying: "Nothing can justify the violence aimed at European embassies or the country of Denmark.

"We understand the offence caused by the cartoons depicting the Prophet but freedom of expression must be exercised with respect for the views of others, including their religious beliefs."


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: cartoon; condems; downing; protestors; street
"Omar Khayam, a 22-year-old who had caused offence by dressing as a suicide bomber at the protest.

A Brit sniper should have put one shot between the eyes. Who was to know he had 'fake' bombs?

1 posted on 02/06/2006 3:54:11 PM PST by blam
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To: blam

Sounds like they got an earful from their good citizens.


2 posted on 02/06/2006 3:57:20 PM PST by monkeywrench (Deut. 27:17 Cursed be he that removeth his neighbor's landmark)
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To: blam

Islam has romaticized suicide bombing and jihad.

Omar needs to be sent back from where he came and never allowed to return. Digusting sub-human.


3 posted on 02/06/2006 4:13:18 PM PST by Proud_USA_Republican (We're going to take things away from you on behalf of the common good. - Hillary Clinton)
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To: blam

Those muslim "protestors" will never be good British citizens, will never abide by British laws, will never contribute to British society, will never cease to bring chaos to the streets and, sadly, will never become fully rational human beings. They should be deported to France immediatly!


4 posted on 02/06/2006 4:15:53 PM PST by Continental Soldier
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To: blam

Omar Khayam, a 22-year-old who had caused offence by dressing as a suicide bomber at the protest, apologised "unreservedly and wholeheartedly" for his actions, saying that he just wanted to make a point that free speech could upset people.

I concede the point. Free speech is free speech, and Mr. Khayam is well within his rights, as long as those explosives are fake. On the other hand, he gets to choose to apologize, whereas those newspaper editors in Jordan are going to jail.


5 posted on 02/06/2006 4:28:12 PM PST by stormlead
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To: Continental Soldier
"They should be deported to France immediatly!"

LOL. Send him somewhere he'll fit in.

6 posted on 02/06/2006 4:32:10 PM PST by blam
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To: blam

Ain't squat gonna happen.


7 posted on 02/06/2006 4:46:52 PM PST by jordan8
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