Angry clowns protest over criminal impostors

More than 100 clowns have taken to the streets in El Salvador to protest against the murder of a bus passenger killed by two "impostor clowns". The professional jesters, who perform on the country's bus routes, marched down San Salvador's main street chanting "real clowns are not criminals".

The protest follows the shooting of a bus passenger on Monday by the impostors after he refused to give them money. The man was shot five times in the face and stomach then other passengers on the bus were robbed. Police are yet to make any arrests. The protesters, dressed in oversized bow ties, tiny hats and colourful make-up, said they were aiming to entertain and educate passers-by during their march.



"We are protesting so that people know we are not killers," said professional clown Ana Noelia Ramirez. "The people who did this are not clowns. They unfortunately used our costume and our make-up to commit a monstrous act."

The leader of the clown union, Carlos Vasquez, has confirmed plans to issue ID to all real clowns and urged police to detain those who do not have them. The performers are a familiar sight on El Salvador's buses and also in the streets where they juggle and do tricks at busy intersections for waiting traffic. But in a country where there are a dozen deaths a day related to drugs and gangs, the clowns are worried about becoming associated with El Salvador's criminal underworld.

With news video.