Thousands Protest in Belgrade Against Kosovo Independence

Hundreds of thousands of protesters gathered in the streets of Belgrade to protest Kosovo independence—some attacking the U.S. Embassy—just hours after the Serbian leader delivered a speech in which he said in part:

Kosovo — that's Serbia's first name.

Kosovo belongs to Serbia .Kosovo belongs to the Serbian people.

That's how it has been forever. That's how it 's going to be forever.

The breakaway of the province is stirring up tension not only in Serbia but also in neighboring states as well as Russia, a key ally of the Belgrade government that has had its own difficulties with independence movements in its provinces.