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rotests over the controversial film Innocence of Muslims continued in front of the US Embassy on Friday despite the absence of diplomats and staff who were temporarily out of the office due to security concerns.

City police deployed 875 personnel to safeguard the protest by 100 members of the Association of Islamic Students (HMI), Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Rikwanto said.

The protesters urged the US government to penalize the filmmaker, who is believed to live in California.

“According to the notifications we received, they [HMI] will also protest the publication of a cartoon depicting Prophet Muhammad,” Rikwanto told reporters. “However, we have yet to receive any information to say that the rally will also be held in front of the French Embassy”.

A French magazine published vulgar caricatures of Prophet Muhammad on Wednesday, brandishing its right to free speech amid global tensions over the movie.

Rikwanto said police would confiscate dangerous materials, including rocks, slingshots or Molotov cocktails from protesters.

“This to comply with procedures on safeguarding rallies and to prevent a repeat of Monday’s riot,” Rikwanto said.

Monday’s protest, which was organized by several mass organizations including the Islamic Society Forum (FUI) and the Islam Defenders Front (FPI), turned violent when protesters threw stones at the police deployed to safeguard the embassy.

Police detained five out of the 1,000 protesters as they were found in possession of Molotov cocktails and slingshots with marbles as ammunition. All detainees had been released.

The US has temporarily closed its embassies in several Muslim countries, including Indonesia, following violence at protests against the movie in several countries. In Libya, the protest resulted in the death of the US ambassador. France will soon follow the US’ step to close its embassies in 20 countries in anticipation of similar riots.

The policy forced US Ambassador to Indonesia Scot Marciel to cancel a meeting with Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) executives on Friday to discuss the widespread protests. PKS patron Hidayat Nur Wahid regretted the cancellation, saying that it would deliver “the wrong message” to the public.

According to Hidayat, US “paranoia” is unreasonable because Indonesian law enforcements have promised to guarantee the safety of the US Embassy and consulate offices nationwide.

National Police chief Timur Pradopo said on Friday that the police were ready to provide security for the US Embassy and the country’s facilities following the closing of the country’s five diplomatic mission offices in Indonesia.

“We guarantee that there will be no security disturbances toward the embassy. We will be all out on maintaining its safety,” Timur said. (aml)