By Libby Ryan
At least 15 protesters died when demonstrations against the anti-Islam video made in America turned violent in Pakistan on Friday.
Between 12 and 19 people were killed and more than 160 were injured in government sanctioned protests as violent crowds rallied against the defamatory film, The Innocence of Muslims.
Pakistan's government declared Friday to be a national holiday, a "Day of Love for the Prophet Muhammad," allowing peaceful protests in response to the video, according to the New York Times.
Tens of thousands turned out in major cities across Pakistan to protest but the protests turned into violence as police responded to crowds throwing objects with teargas and live rounds of ammunition.
Recently published French satirical cartoons portraying the Prophet Muhammad added anti-French protests to the demonstrations. The Guardian said, the many protests in Islamic nations around the world has sparked intense discussion in the U.S and Europe about the boundaries of free speech.
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