Faith

‘Death to America!’: Angry Afghans Burn Christian Cross & Obama Effigy

It seems the chaos in Afghanistan over supposedly inadvertent Koran burnings is still unfolding. New video of civilian protests shows a cross being burned and anger running rampant. Of course, the problems in the region have only intensified after an American soldier allegedly killed 16 Afghan civilians on Sunday. In response, the Taliban are pledging revenge and citizens are demanding justice.

Angry Afghans Burn Cross & Effigy of Obama Over Soldiers Shooting

Demonstrators chant anti U.S. slogans as they carry a red cross following Sunday's killing of civilians in Panjwai, Kandahar by a U.S. soldier during a protest in Jalalabad east of Kabul, Afghanistan, Tuesday, March 13, 2012. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)

Angry demonstrators chanted anti-American slogans and carried a red cross throughout the streets in the city of Jalalabad on Tuesday. Later, footage and pictures show this same cross and an Obama effigy being burned — an apparent reaction to the burning of Korans in February at Bagram Air Field, a military base in Afghanistan and the aforementioned shooting.

“Death to America!“ and ”Death to the soldier who killed our civilians!,” the crowd at a local university shouted. Some carried a banner that called for a public trial of the soldier, who U.S. officials have identified as a married, 38-year-old father of two who was trained as a sniper and recently suffered a head injury in Iraq.

Angry Afghans Burn Cross & Effigy of Obama Over Soldiers Shooting

A demonstrator writes on an effigy depicting U.S. President Barack Obama before setting it on fire following Sunday's killing of civilians in Panjwai, Kandahar by a U.S. soldier during a protest in Jalalabad east of Kabul, Afghanistan, Tuesday, March 13, 2012. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)

The BBC has more about the response within the Middle Eastern country:

Private Tolo TV and Shamsad TV broadcast footage of angry protests by 600 students of Nangahar University, and private Channel One TV joined them in highlighting remarks by US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta about the possibility of the death penalty for the soldier.

State TV concentrated on official Afghan and US reactions, with extensive and angry comments by members of the Afghan parliament.

The overall trend in the reporting and comment was a call for justice and the punishment of the soldier, as well as anyone else responsible for the killings.

Below, see footage of the cross burning:

There were other events going on as well that serve as a reaction to both the Koran burning and the shooting. The Associated Press reports:

The Taliban insurgents opened fire just as two brothers of Afghan President Hamid Karzai left a village mosque where a memorial service was being held for 16 villagers killed by a U.S. soldier who went on a shooting rampage.

Qayum and Shah Walid Karzai and other top Afghan officials in their delegation escaped in their cars unharmed from the Tuesday ambush in the country’s south.

But one Afghan soldier was hit in the head almost immediately and died, while two other Afghan army personnel were wounded in the 20-minute firefight that ensued in one of the two villages in Kandahar province where the killings had occurred two days before.

With all of these events unfolding, U.S. leaders are said to be considering a potential expedited troop drawdown. This isn’t surprising, considering that decreasing support in America for operations in Afghanistan and angst among civilians there may hamper the U.S.’s operations moving forward.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

This story has been updated.

Comments (177)

  • spirited
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 12:49pm

    Perhaps the soilder took Obama’s words seriously.

    >WE took our eye off of Afghanistan.

    Report Post » spirited  
    • Maji
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 1:16pm

      See…I react that way when we’re out of toilet paper!

      It’s the outrage of the day,they like to murder
      their own!you know women,children etc..

      Report Post »  
    • cessna152
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 1:16pm

      That small group of people could be dispersed quickly for about $12…..

      Report Post » cessna152  
    • RJL
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 2:00pm

      They’ve gone too far. You can’t do that to our Prez. We’re going to send troops in and take care of that mess. Oh….that’s right we already have troops there.

      If Romney gets in he will also send our BRAVE TROOPS into that cesspool. I’ll back him 100% if the first five troops are his own kids. That way it makes it a little more personal and these Presidents won’t be so anxious to send someone else BRAVE young Men or young Women into combat.

      McCain constantly wants to occupy all the mid-eastern countries. I’ll back him also if the first one off the boat would be his blond-headed bimbo of a daughter Megan.

      Report Post »  
    • JohnnyMidknight
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 2:08pm

      For all I care, the can burn what ever they like… It is just a symbol, it has nothing to do with my faith and my God. Even if they burned a Star of David. The difference in their demonstration is the Korans were defaced, they made the cross (which has not spiritual value to a Christian). Even if it was a Bible, so long as they paid for it, go ahead. Do the same to a Torah. They only thing they are showing their extreme views and actions.

      Besides, I support their freedom to do such acts. I don’t like the acts, cause as I said they are not defaced symbols of faith and the are purposely trying to inflame the Christians in an outrage. Luckily, most of the Christians I know are smarter than that. However, they have a right to express their frustration. But when the citizens of the Middle East act like this… It is no wonder most of the rest of the world shakes their heads and sigh at their ignorance.

      Report Post » JohnnyMidknight  
    • The_Jerk
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 2:45pm

      Double edge sword. If the Afghans didn‘t breed al Qaeda they wouldn’t be experiencing the wrath. Not justifying the murder… but, they are to blame, too.

      Report Post »  
    • lynskinners
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 4:40pm

      Still no word if any Korans were harmed during this incident.

      Report Post » lynskinners  
    • Gryphon Moor
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 5:22pm

      I like the comment from JohnnyMidKnight above. God tells us not to worship idols. So yeah, a papier-mache cross to me, is just a pinata. It may be offensive on some level because it is disprespectful, but unlike those in the middle east, I’m not going to take off from work so I can leap around in the street, scream at cameras, throw rocks and burn up my own country’s infrastructure.

      Report Post » Gryphon Moor  
    • JohnTwoFeathers
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 7:47pm

      Its Bush’s Fault

      Report Post »  
    • SgtB
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 10:03pm

      I‘m still surprised that we aren’t burning Obama in effigy in the US. I‘d do it except that I really think the only proper way is to hang him and then burn him and I don’t want to ruin the only nice big tree on my lawn with fire damage. But if anyone else has a tree they are less concerned with, I can start on the doll right away.

      Report Post » SgtB  
    • teamarcheson
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 11:46pm

      Release Another Soldier To Clean Out Some More Homes.

      These Cross Burners are the same people who blow up Mosques loaded with people on Moslim Holidays and stone women to death. The purpose of War is to kill people. Iran threatens to destroy Israel and that means women and children. China has threatened to nuke US cities and I think that means the women and children. Women and Children have always been fare targets of military forces in time of War.

      Report Post »  
    • The Jewish Avenger
      Posted on March 14, 2012 at 8:39am

      You should see how the people react here when their welfare checks are late.

      Report Post » The Jewish Avenger  
  • Captain Crunch
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 12:48pm

    It’s the opium…“for the masses”

    Report Post »  
  • Lloyd Drako
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 12:45pm

    Dear me! Foreigners burning an effigy of the US President! This has not happened to any President since–well, since the last 11.

    I note the shooter was trained as a sniper. Better to have him shoot a bunch of Afghans, I guess, than to have him come home and massacre his entire family, or shoot up a local school.

    Report Post » Lloyd Drako  
    • Gryphon Moor
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 5:28pm

      There’s looking at the glass as half full…

      They were appalled that someone would shoot innocent people. So in revenge, they shot at the Afghan delegation that came to investigate. Uhhhh, yeah,ok.

      Report Post » Gryphon Moor  
  • MyParker
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 12:44pm

    Do they have any idea what burring a styrofoam cross does to their carbon footprint? I think we should ship the occupy crowd over there to educate them!

    Report Post »  
    • gbfreak
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 12:49pm

      Yeah….melting doesn’t quite have the dramatic effect that burning does….lol

      Report Post » gbfreak  
    • SoupSandwich
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 12:52pm

      Send Al Gore on a solar Segway too.

      Report Post »  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 3:57pm

      Burning a cross with a black man in the White House? If that doesn’t get Obama fired up enough to win the damned war, nothiing will.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
  • gbfreak
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 12:43pm

    Hey…the kkk has infiltrated Afganastan!!!!!

    Report Post » gbfreak  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 1:21pm

      We do not know that the staff sergeant that committed the crimes was Christian or not. So to blame the kiIIings on Christianity is BS.

      It could be argued that if he was Christian then that would have given him solace & he would not have freaked out. I bet he was more of an atheist or an agnostic than a Christian. As such he was more likely to kiII.

      Would an atheist look at him look at the staff sergeant as a protein based biological computer that is running bad software due to head trauma & now all they want to do is turn him into Soylent Green. That would be an atheist point of view.

      Report Post »  
    • poorrichard09
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 1:39pm

      Yeah, what a bunch of racists-they‘re only burning his effigy cuz he’s black (well, half black).

      Report Post »  
    • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 1:41pm

      Burning crosses and efigies of a black man. Next they will have pictures of Senator Byrd and start voting Democrat/Dixiecrat. Has anyone checked to see if SEIU or ACORN has set up offices yet?

      Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
  • TexBork
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 12:42pm

    I‘m pretty sure the Arabs feel like they’ve been ripped off. A couple of Palestinian brothers inside the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip are listed in government election filings as having donated $29,521.54 to Sen. Barack Obama’s campaign back in 2008 and I’m sure Obama owes them. Those contributions and many others raised numerous questions about the Obama campaign’s lax online donation form, which apparently allows for the possibility of foreign contributions. Think Holder’s going to do anything? If anything, he’ll hunt down who found that out and investigate them for leaking it. Obama also admitted that if the political winds shift, he would side with the Muslims. I think it‘s funny that Obama’s so narcissistic that his own chosen middle name, “Huessien” means “The good, handsome one.” in Arabic. Obama was touted by himself and the media as the “chosen one” to settle the Middle East and win them over to like us again. Everything Obama touches is an epic failure. I’ve never witnessed a worse president ever in my life. Jimminy Carter used to hold that award, but now even he can’t hold a candle to the flaming wreckage that is Barack Huessien Obama.

    Report Post » TexBork  
  • SpankDaMonkey
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 12:39pm

    .
    If things keep going like this. I might be able to make a living off selling Obama Burning Effigy Kits…..

    Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
    • spirited
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 12:46pm

      …oh, that Obama middle finger

      ;^> again ?

      Report Post » spirited  
    • Ruler4You
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 12:46pm

      Burning a cross, well that’s okay. But burning a effigy of obango! That’s racist! Where’s the U.N.? Where’s the ICC? Where’s the justice?

      Report Post » Ruler4You  
    • McNamara
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 3:19pm

      Capitalism at it’s finest!

      Report Post » McNamara  
  • thegreatcarnac
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 12:36pm

    Wait a minute!!! I thought the news said that some American shot 16 Afghans. Now they are saying 16 people got shot. Make up your mind….it is either ‘afghans’ or ‘people’. lol

    Report Post »  
    • rose-ellen
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 2:38pm

      and by killing even children he pulled the rug out of the fox media genocidists always whining about how american soldiers fight wars with their hands tied and that the rules of engagement are a wrong.. those allusions to wanting to kill civilians now yield to well he was just one guy who must be brain damaged. coded alusions of wanting to kill civilans are rendered moot in your propaganda campaign as he did just that.now you disavov what you were previously calling for with those coded phrases[fighting with one hand tied and rules of engagement].I think he got angry that america got thrown out of iraq and he realized we can’t dominate them. so he chose to act out his anger that we can’t dominate iraq by donimating afghan civilians including children. i bet he is a blaze blogger and probably has been for years. just doing the bidding of the right genocidal fox media and their brainwashed politicians.now however they all lack the guts to publically call for what they’ve been alluding to all along.-genocide of men women and children in afghanistan and iraq.and everywhere else muslims exist.This guy did your bidding though you now have to distance yourself from him.where is the satisfaction in that?So your media is left to whine about how they don‘t like us so let’s take our marbles and go home. duh! that’s the idea of their resistence!those backward afghans are teaching you a lesson though you in your dishonesty and or hubris will fein not realizing this.

      Report Post »  
  • Minonkman
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 12:36pm

    I am thinking this guy had a target in his own mind and took it out, nothing more. This is WAR, is it not. Why would the afghan’s be upset, they do the same thing but they use a bomb strapped on the butts of there own kids. Lets just get over it people die in WAR, it could have been a drone it could have been a 500lb bomb dropped from 30,000 feet. We all know we have lost this war, to a bunch of cave dwelling brain washed, no bath taking, muslims. Lets bring the troops home and put them on our own borders, maybe we can save the lives of American’s.

    Report Post » Minonkman  
  • thegreatcarnac
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 12:34pm

    I have a question. How did this soldier go from house to house and shoot the families without the people in the next house hearing the shots and thinking something is up? These houses are close together. He went in…shot them while they slept. Took some and poured gas on them and attempted to burn them, and then went to the next house and shot them ‘in their sleep’????? Do these people sleep that soundly? I doubt it. Something is up.

    Report Post »  
  • Mathew Manhorne
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 12:34pm

    The American Infidels will be crushed under the boot of Islam!!!!! Derka,Derka Derka,Derka!!!!!!

    Report Post »  
    • knockered
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 12:43pm

      Fuuny how they react to a bit of their own medicine. What idiots. Pull all our troops out and they will destroy themselves. As long as they keep their own bullshiit within their own borders let them have at it. If they step over their own borders let them get what they deserve, bomb after bomb after bomb. If enough of their good people are killed maybe they themselves will find the balls to stand up against the bad ones just as the colonists did to the british back then to gain our freedoms, which if we don’t watch out will be taken away bit by bit by this president and the democratic socialist.

      Report Post »  
    • SoupSandwich
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 1:15pm

      Lalalalala. Derka. Lalalalalala. Derka derka derka. Lalalala. Derka!

      Report Post »  
  • American National Socialist
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 12:30pm

    The Zionist, Israel first, Jewish Supremacist foreign policy of the United States is a cancer. Our soldiers should not be used for wars for Israel any longer.

    American National Socialist  
    • BlackCrow
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 12:40pm

      Get lost you stinking fool!

      Report Post » BlackCrow  
    • TH30PH1LUS
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 12:41pm

      Looks like you KKK nutjobs and the crazy Muslims are soulmates!

      Report Post » TH30PH1LUS  
    • Lloyd Drako
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 12:47pm

      How does out getting bogged down in Afghanistan help Israel?

      Report Post » Lloyd Drako  
    • Mandors
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 1:26pm

      Calm down guys, this ANS guy is obviously a troll.

      Go away troll.

      Report Post » Mandors  
    • USPATRIOT101
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 1:59pm

      I believe the whole planet could be considered zionist. Ever think about the continental drift?

      Report Post » USPATRIOT101  
    • barber2
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 3:34pm

      The Blaze has been OCCUPIED …

      Report Post »  
    • Balpit
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 7:24pm

      @ TH30PH1LUS

      “The enemy of my enemy is my friend” is their golden rule.

      Report Post »  
    • This_Individual
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 8:45pm

      Get lost.

      Report Post »  
  • SpankDaMonkey
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 12:26pm

    .
    ‘Death to America!’: Angry Afghans Burn Christian Cross & Obama Effigy

    I been yelling “Death to Afghanistan!”, and “Kill Them All” from the very start. What good are they but to supply the world with opium? This is what happens “When You Play At War!” How many more Brave Men will we have to lose? Because our “Dear” leaders are worried what others might think. I want others to think “The USA will Kill me and take my things!”, if I mess with them………

    And that Angry Crowd burning The Cross…..M-134 should do the trick………..

    Burning Obama LMAO……They Love You Barry……….

    Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
    • momrules
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 12:43pm

      I agree Spank. No one respects America anymore, no one is afraid to *mess* with us because they know that we have spineless, PC driven politicians running things. Either fight to win or never go in

      Report Post »  
    • Lloyd Drako
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 12:51pm

      “Either fight to win or never go in.” It’s catchy, I like it. I think it’s called the Powell Doctrine.

      Report Post » Lloyd Drako  
    • spirited
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 1:24pm

      That could also apply to Miss Fluke. No?

      Report Post » spirited  
  • SpeckledPup
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 12:25pm

    they drew the nose wrong on the effigy.

    Report Post »  
    • randy
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 1:38pm

      And they made Obama white. They still like his black side

      Report Post » randy  
  • spirited
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 12:23pm

    Jeepers …. why carry a red cross and just burn an effigy?

    Yous (crazy) guys are so fired-up.
    Give it your all.
    Show the world what (insanity) you really believe;

    >Strap on those special designed vests –together, all at once; –> Peace out!

    Report Post » spirited  
  • SoupSandwich
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 12:23pm

    We should send the LGBLT group from CAIR over to settle them down.

    Report Post »  
  • floridacockleburr
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 12:22pm

    Dear Taliban,

    We, the American people, would like to offer you the man responsible for the killing over there. His name is Barack Obama. We would however, need fair compensation in trade. Two goats should do it.

    Report Post » floridacockleburr  
  • MDDAWG
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 12:22pm

    Sad day all around for all involved.
    I didn’t see this kind of outrage here or in the middle east when Muslim males flew hijacked planes into buildings here in the US, killing innocent civilians, including women and children. I didn’t see this kind of deranged, outragious behavior when a muslim male extremist turned on unarmed soldiers and civilians in Fort Hood.

    Report Post » MDDAWG  
    • spirited
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 12:24pm

      Think the RED cross is intended as insult ?

      Report Post » spirited  
    • thegreatcarnac
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 12:29pm

      You are correct.

      Report Post »  
    • DrFrost
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 12:31pm

      And we’re not going to run around shooting muslims for this. Islam is NOT a peaceful religion. First off, it’s more than just a religion. It’s a political, military and religious system wrapped into one. It is NOT compatible with peace. It is not even compatible with tolerance. And it is NOT compatible with other forms of government.

      Report Post »  
    • geomann
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 12:39pm

      Correct; it should be us screaming “Death to Afghanistan!”

      Report Post »  
    • goldmind
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 12:41pm

      These are a ravaged people–as many in the mideast are. They are also mindless–as many in the mideast are. Think of them as sick horses, and put them out of their misery. This soldier did the right thing, because once the Taliban take control again, there will be rivers of blood…once again in the mideast.

      Report Post » goldmind  
    • Ayla_me
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 12:53pm

      Hypocrisy at its finest. I am seriously offended at burning the cross, but I will not kill because of it. I try to pray for my enemies, like Jesus said, but it is so hard sometimes.

      Report Post »  
    • rose-ellen
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 3:10pm

      it wasn’t done by a regime,military or even a nation state.why should they say or do anything? only a brainwashed gull would expect some american muslims to jump through hoops for you.who are you that they should appease your bigotry? it’s your problem -not theirs. a soldier wearing an american uniform in an occupied country commiting atrocities is a different story then a group of people successfully pulling a horiific stunt.typical dishonest americn hubris. oh and it’s not like we were minding our business on that glorious morn but we were unjustly meddling in their homelands. osama was not a religious fundamentalist but a freedom fighter wanting to liberate his people from western policies that benefited us but harmed the people[dictators, bases ,vetoes at the UN of every resolution which would have brought some justice to the zionist occupied parabs[palestinians].he supported the arab uprisings against dictators and should have been aan ally of ours if we stood by our principles of universal human rights instead of propping up brutal dictators for cold war, below market oil prices and zionist interests.

      Report Post »  
  • SquidVetOhio
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 12:20pm

    Ha! Even the Afgans know we’re a christian nation. Seems they didn‘t get Obama’s memo. I’m also a little nervous that all the media has been reporting this “massacre” as fact and not as “alleged”. Sorry folks, but we’ve been duped too many times on this. How many court martials have been dismissed once the facts come out. Maybe this guy is guilty but he deserves the presumtion of innocence and a fair military trial HERE in the states.

    Report Post » SquidVetOhio  
    • momrules
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 12:36pm

      I agree with you. I am to the point that I do not trust any charges made against our military because I do not trust the ones making the accusations.

      Report Post »  
  • TXPilot
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 12:18pm

    And yet again, something upsets the natives, so they hop around and screech like monkeys, while destroying anything they can get their hands on. Although, I applaud them on the whole burning Obama thing.

    Report Post » TXPilot  
  • EqualJustice
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 12:18pm

    Makes me wonder why we would EVER help any of these people who HATE US? Bring our guys HOME NOW. S c r e w them. Take care of your own. NO MORE sending our soldiers to slaughter over a LOST CAUSE. We need them at home and all the other resources, as well. FOCUS ON THE SECURITY OF THE HOMELAND. Protect our OWN borders. What a mess we are in on all fronts.

    Report Post » EqualJustice  
  • HKS
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 12:18pm

    And why do we spend our resources here? What’s the R.O.I. ? I’m confused, if one attacks a country, then take it and run it as you see fit, it’s yours. What’s this all about?

    Report Post » HKS  
  • biohazard23
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 12:17pm

    Gee, will Boy Wonder apologize yet again to these heathens? About the only thing they did right was to burn his image, even if it WAS only in effigy…. I‘ll bet he’s crying in a corner right now because they hurt his widdle feewings. “But I apologized! They’re supposed to like me, d@mmit!!”

    Report Post » biohazard23  
    • burnbabylon
      Posted on March 14, 2012 at 4:09am

      Don’t be silly, Obama, like any narcissist, sees himself as perfect in all ways. Someone else is always to blame.

      What I don’t get about this incident is burning a cross and an effigy of Obama. Mixed message much?

      Report Post »  
  • chameleonx
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 12:16pm

    This war on terror is a failure. Even though I support the troops this is just a huge mess for us.

    Report Post »  
    • My Two Cents
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 12:36pm

      The guys who get to ogle women’s private parts on full body scanners probably consider the war on terror as a complete success.

      Report Post »  
  • martinez012577
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 12:14pm

    Why are we still in that country? At what point do you think they will get it? How many more roads, bridges, schools, hospitals, and bags of food will it take for them to love us and want a western lifestyle?

    Here is a clue. NEVER!!! We are wasting our money and our troops lives over there. Pull out, now!!! We have one candidate saying the right things.

    Ron Paul 2012

    Report Post » martinez012577  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 1:23pm

      Do we waster the lives of navy & marine personnel fighting pirates like the ones from Somalia?

      What would that look like, a few tomahawks tossed hither & thither?

      Report Post »  

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