 According to Miller, Diệm then proclaimed the flag embargo because he was annoyed with the commemoration for Thục.However, the ban on religious flag led to a protest led by Thích Trí Quang against the government, which was suppressed by Diệm's forces, and unarmed civilians were killed in the clash.Diệm and his supporters blamed the Việt Cộng for the deaths and claimed the protesters were responsible for the violence.