Anti U.S. protesters protest at KFC

PALU, Central Sulawesi: Hundreds of students in the provincial capital of Palu protested on Tuesday the United States' threat to attack Iraq, and sealed off a Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) outlet in an initial step to boycott American products.

Students from the Datokarama State Institute of Islamic Studies (STAIN) placed a sticker that read "This is an American product, it must be boycotted," on the front entrance of a KFC outlet in one of Palu's shopping areas.

KFC however is not an American company but a franchise operated by a local investor.

Several KFC customers appeared disturbed by the sudden protest, with some leaving the fast food restaurant.

But the half an hour rally proceeded peacefully, as students only made speeches over the imminent war in the Middle East.

One protesting student, Erwin Samangka, described the U.S. planned invasion of Iraq as nothing short of terrorism.

Following the protest at the KFC outlet, the students marched to the Central Sulawesi governor's office to demand that the local administration shut down American businesses in the province.

The province's assistant staff member at the economic and development office, Syahril Alatas, said Jakarta was against the war as well.

But he said Central Sulawesi should not act recklessly by closing down American businesses. -- Antara