COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Aug. 14 (UPI) -- Danish police estimate more than 15,000 people marched in Copenhagen to protest the arrest and planned deportation of 19 Iraqi refugees.
The 19 were among 30 Iraqis who sought refuge at Brorson's Church after the government turned down their request for asylum, The Copenhagen Post reported Friday.
It was only the second time in modern Danish history that police arrested people seeking shelter in a church and the first time that they did so without the church's permission.
In addition to showing support for the Iraqis, many of the marchers told the Post they were protesting the tactics police used to disperse the 300 activists who tried to prevent the Iraqis from being arrested Thursday.
Scenes of police striking the activists were broadcast repeatedly on Danish television.
