REDLANDS - Worldwide protests asking for the execution of those considered responsible for millions of deaths during Bangladesh's war for independence drew at least 20 people to a busy street corner here Sunday.

Hundreds of thousands of people have protested for the past two weeks, since a man who was convicted of playing a part in killing 381 unarmed civilians during the 1971 war to separate from Pakistan was sentenced to life in prison rather than death.

The man, Abdul Quader Mollah, was one of many responsible for raping 200,000 women and killing 3 million people - including Bashir Ather's father, according to Ather, a Corona resident.

"They did many awful things, and we want them to be held responsible," Ather said.

The United States needs to take a stand, said Mohammad Hossain, founder of the Islamic Center of Redlands.

"These crimes are as bad as can be, and they deserve execution," Hossain said.

Protesters, holding signs and flags, came to the southwest corner of Orange Street and Redlands Boulevard from around the Inland Empire.

Many of the protesters were from Redlands, a city where people seem interested in making a difference, Hossain said.

Hours before the protest, Bangladesh's parliament amended the law in a way that will allow the state to appeal Mollah's sentence.

Mollah was among those fighting to keep Bangladesh as the eastern wing of Pakistan.

The procedures of the

tribunal that found him guilty, part of a legal process that began in 2010, has been questioned by human rights groups. Among other irregularities, a defense witness disappeared outside the courthouse gates.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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