Some 2,000 people gathered outside the U.S. consulate in Toronto Saturday afternoon to protest a film posted to YouTube that they believe is anti-Islamic.
The crowd carried signs that called for the film, “Innocence of Muslims,” to be banned and for blasphemy to be made illegal. They also chanted ‘shame, shame USA.’
Protesters told CP24’s Cristina Tenaglia that they consider the film to be a hate crime and believe the filmmaker, who has gone into hiding, should be prosecuted by the U.S. government.
“Free speech does not give you a right to attack somebody’s faith,” said a protester who identified himself as Mohammed.
The Toronto protest, which remained peaceful, drew a heavy police presence.
The film has already sparked outrage around the world, with violent protests in a number of countries, including an attack on the U.S. embassy in Libya that resulted in the death of the U.S. ambassador there.
In a local connection Saturday, a Coptic Christian man in Toronto said he fears for his life and asked for police protection after Egypt accused him of being involved in the film and issued a warrant for his arrest.
Nader Fawzy met with police as well as his MP, Liberal Jim Karygiannis.
“I feel more comfortable myself that 42-division will be keeping a watchful eye on his home,” Karygiannis told media after meeting with Fawzy.
Jacques Attalla, a second Canadian man accused by Egypt of being involved in the film, said he is not seeking police protection because he is worried about information being leaked to foreign countries.
Both men maintain there is no evidence they were involved with the film.
