Buddhists stage protest in downtown Charlotte

CHARLOTTE -- More than 50 Laotian Buddhists staged a demonstration in downtown Charlotte to protest the closing of their temple.

The Charlotte Observer reported that Monday's protest was the latest episode in a battle between the monks and their supporters against the president and board of the Laotian Culture Center of North Carolina.

In recent years, the two sides have filed competing lawsuits. The center's president, Syma Inthanonh, was even arrested on a charge of kidnapping a monk. The Mecklenburg County District Attorney's office recently decided to drop the charges.

Protesters said they have not been able to worship at the temple or visit the ashes of their dead relatives since June 18, when the entrance was padlocked and blocked by downed trees.

An attorney for Inthanonh called accusations against his client "nonsense."

Information from: The Charlotte Observer, http://www.charlotte.com

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)