Anti U.S. protesters protest at KFC

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