Australian police tear gas anti-US demonstrators in Sydney (VIDEO)

Police in Sydney, Australia, fired tear gas at protesters staging a demonstration against the anti-Islam film that has sparked mass public outrage across the Muslim world. Six officers and several civilians have been injured in clashes.

Hundreds of demonstrators threw projectiles at officers outside the US Consulate in Sydney, shouting “Down, down USA” on Saturday. Police used tear gas and a canine squad on protesters.At least eight demonstrators have been arrested during the five-hour-long confrontation, local media reported.Protesters waved banners calling for the beheading of those who insulted the Prophet Mohammed, news outlet the Australian reported.

Police pushed the protesters back, and the crowd later marched to nearby Hyde Park.One protester was reportedly hospitalized with a head injury, and is in stable condition.Seven ambulances arrived at the demonstration as tensions increased.Sydney's security forces were prepared for the rally, authorities said, which continued throughout the evening. "We are sick and tired of everyone mocking our beloved prophet," protester Houda Dib told the Australian. "They were aggravating the situation by pushing our brothers. This is supposed to be a peaceful protest.""They call us the terrorists," demonstrator Sarah Jacob said in a separate interview. "But everyone is terrorizing our people."