Anti-US Protestor Dies Of Smoke Inhalation From Burning American Flags

Protests against the United States and the anti-Islamic film Innocence of Muslims continue to variously die down and heat up overseas, but, if they’re going to keep it up, they might want to keep an ambulance on standby. One Pakistani protester actually died at one of these rallies, and media reports are saying that smoke inhalation from burning American flags was the cause.

Roughly 10,000 people showed up for an anti-US demonstration in Lahore, the capital of the Punjab province. They, like other protestors around the world over the past week, were organized in defense of Islam from the anti-Islamic film Innocence of Muslims. It was there that one man, identified as Abdullah Ismail, passed away after being taken to an area hospital, reports Forbes. Witnesses on hand said that Ismail was complaining of feeling sick from the smoke from the American flags being burned at the demonstration.

Via the New York Times:

“One of the participants of the rally, Abdullah Ismail, passed away after he was taken to Mayo Hospital. Witnesses said he had complained of feeling unwell from the smoke from US flags burnt at the rally.”

The demonstration in Lahore is just one of many in other countries stemming from the small independent production of the anti-Islamic film that depicts Muhammad, the prophet of Islam, in an offensive light. The 14 minute trailer for the film, found on YouTube, depicts Muhammad as a womanizer and war monger. The film has been met with universal disdain by media outlets and governments around the world, as have the violent protests it has inspired.

There seems to be some international confusion regarding the film; not only have the film’s cast and crew claimed that they were unaware of the film’s propagandist nature, the nation of Islam has confused the small, independently financed production for a sort of US-endorsed propaganda piece and a national statement against the religion of Islam.

“The U.S. must make a law against blasphemy – or we will not let the US consulates in Pakistan function,” said one Lahore protestor.