Indian protesters seek end to sexual violence against women

Thousands of people protested across India on Sunday to seek an end to sexual violence against women, which has been on the rise in the country.

Carrying banners and placards, protesters marched in New Delhi, Mumbai and other cities, demanding that India's government quickly prosecute rape suspects. Candlelight vigils were also held in some places.

Indian women hold placards during a protest gathering organised by a non governmental organization to condemn violence against women in Dharmsala, India, Sunday, April 15, 2018. Violent crimes against women have been on the rise in India despite tough laws enacted in 2013. Placard in Hindi reads, ''We will protest- We will demand accountability". (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)

Indian women shout slogans during a protest gathering organised by a non governmental organization to condemn violence against women in Dharmsala, India, Sunday, April 15, 2018. Violent crimes against women have been on the rise in India despite tough laws enacted in 2013. Placard in Hindi reads, ''We will protest- We will demand accountability", center top and " Enough, we will now not tolerate violent men", bottom, right. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)

The outrage was triggered by the rape and murder of an 8-year-old girl in the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir and the abduction and rape of a teenage girl in India's northern Uttar Pradesh state.

Many protesters expressed particular anger at India's ruling Hindu nationalist party for initially siding with the accused in the Kashmir case. The young victim was a Muslim and the accused are Hindus.

Indian women shout slogans during a protest after gathering in front of a temple of Hindu god Hanunan, to condemn violence against women in Dharmsala, India, Sunday, April 15, 2018. Violent crimes against women have been on the rise in India despite tough laws enacted in 2013. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)

Lawyers participate in a protest against the rape and murder of an 8-year-old girl, in Jammu, India, Saturday, April 14, 2018. The girl was grazing her family's ponies in the forests of the Himalayan foothills when she was kidnapped and her mutilated body found in the woods a week later.  (AP Photo/Channi Anand)

A total of at least nine suspects, including a lawmaker from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and four police officials, have been arrested in the two cases.

Violent crime against women has been on the rise in India despite tough laws enacted in 2013. In 2012, the fatal gang rape of a young woman in New Delhi triggered massive protests by hundreds of thousands to demand stricter rape laws in the country.

Lawyers participate in a protest against the rape and murder of an 8-year-old girl, in Jammu, India, Saturday, April 14, 2018. The girl was grazing her family's ponies in the forests of the Himalayan foothills when she was kidnapped and her mutilated body found in the woods a week later. Thousands of members of a radical Hindu group with links to the ruling party have marched to demand the release of six men accused in the repeated rape and murder of the Muslim girl inside a Hindu temple. (AP Photo/Channi Anand)

Lawyers participate in a candle light procession in protest against the rape and murder of an 8-year-old girl, in Jammu, India, Saturday, April 14, 2018.  (AP Photo/Channi Anand)

The outrage over the New Delhi attack spurred quick action on legislation doubling prison terms for rapists to 20 years and criminalizing voyeurism, stalking and the trafficking of women. Indian lawmakers also voted to lower to 16 from 18 the age at which a person can be tried as an adult for heinous crimes.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Bradley Cooper rocked a Dr. J jacket from his courtside seat at Game 6. The A-list actor had a few more 76ers fans join him Thursday night for Philadelphia's playoff game against New York — about 2,000 more courtesy of ticket giveaways from Sixers ownership.

The Sixers' strategy heading into Game 6 of their Eastern Conference first-round series was to keep Knicks fans out of Wells Fargo Center on Thursday night.

Team owners Josh Harris, David Blitzer and David Adelman and former minority owner Michael Rubin joined forces Wednesday to buy more than 2,000 tickets they handed out to people who serve the Philadelphia community.

Wells Fargo Center seemed more like Madison Square Garden South during the Knicks' 97-92 win in Game 4 on Sunday, prompting Sixers star Joel Embiid to express frustration about the home-court disadvantage.

On Tuesday, the Sixers won 112-106 in overtime in New York to cut their deficit to 3-2 in the best-of-seven series.

After the 2,000-plus Game 6 tickets were bought in bulk, Rubin announced on social media they would be given to first responders, health care professionals and other Philadelphia-based organizations.

Ali Benner, a registered nurse at Penn Medicine, jumped on a mass email sent to hospital employees offering first-come, first-serve tickets. She got a free pair of seats in section 120 (behind one of the baskets) and attended the game with her boyfriend. Tickets in that section were being offered for about $1,000 for a pair on various secondary markets shortly before tipoff.

“I think I was just quick and lucky,” Benner said, wearing an Allen Iverson T-shirt.

Benner said she was probably going to watch Game 6 at a bar had she not received free tickets.

She said the New York takeover in Game 4 was “kind of sad” but credited Rubin and the Sixers for donating Game 6 tickets to Philadelphia-based organizations.

“I think it's pretty great,” she said. “Next week is Nurses' Appreciation week, so I think it's a really good way to kick it off and show some thanks to the healthcare workers.”

Dawn Staley, coach of the NCAA champion South Carolina women’s basketball team and a Philadelphia native, also asked fans to not sell their tickets to Knicks fans.

“We need everybody’s support, man,” Sixers coach Nick Nurse said.

Game 4 last Sunday in Philadelphia had a decidedly Knicks sound down the stretch.

“The Philadelphia fanbase is, I said this before, they’re very relentless and very passionate. I mean, I’m an Eagles fan, I would know,” said Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, who won two national championships playing collegiately for Villanova. “But seeing the Knicks here and hearing the Knicks here, it was pretty cool and it’s awesome.”

Not for Embiid, who had to hear Brunson get louder chants of “MVP! MVP!” than the guy who actually won the award last season.

“I love our fans but it was unfortunate. I’m not calling them out, but it is disappointing,” Embiid said, adding that he’s aware that Knicks fans often make the short train trip for the road games.

“But never seen it (like Sunday) and I’ve been here for 10 years. Yeah, kind of (ticks) me off, especially because Philly is considered a sports town, so ... I don’t think that should happen. It’s not OK.”

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

New York Knicks fans cheer during the first half in Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers, Saturday, April 20, 2024, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Philadelphia 76ers head coach Nick Nurse reacts during the first half in Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the New York Knicks, Saturday, April 20, 2024, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid (21) reacts after a turnover during the second half of Game 5 in an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the New York Knicks, Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid, left, looks to shoot against New York Knicks' Isaiah Hartenstein, right, during the first half of Game 6 in an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Actor Bradley Cooper watches warmsups ahead of Game 6 in an NBA basketball first-round playoff series between the Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks, Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)