San Francisco bracing for protests on Olympic torch route
The Olympic flame was whisked to a secret location shortly after its pre-dawn arrival Tuesday following widespread and chaotic demonstrations during the torch relay in London and Paris. Activists are protesting China's human rights record, its grip on Tibet and support for Sudan despite years of bloodshed in Darfur.
The flame is scheduled to be paraded through the city today on a six-mile route that hugs San Francisco Bay. Already, one runner who planned to carry the flame dropped out because of safety concerns, officials said.
It began its 85,000-mile journey from Ancient Olympia in Greece to Beijing on March 24, and was the focus of protests from the very start.
Hours after it arrived in San Francisco, protesters marched to the Chinese Consulate, calling on China to cease its heavy-handed rule of Tibet.
Sam Chagzoetsang, 22, among some two dozen Tibetan Utahns participating in the protest, is impressed with the diverse group of people showing support.
Chagzoetsang spoke to the Deseret Morning News via telephone Tuesday while protesters chanted "Free Tibet" in the background. He hopes the combined efforts of protesters here and throughout the world will impact China's policy toward Tibet. Chagzoetsang was born in Utah; his parents fled Tibet decades ago after China took over the Himalayan country.
"They are under the public eye," he said. "Tibetans want freedom within the country, human rights. The basic things we all take for granted."
In Chinatown, leaders of China's expatriate community held a news conference calling for a peaceful relay, and said they were proud China was selected to host the summer games.
In Beijing, International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge said the body's executive board would discuss Friday whether to end the international leg of the torch relay because of the demonstrations. He said he was "deeply saddened" by the previous protests and was concerned about the relay in San Francisco.
"We recognize the right for people to protest and express their views, but it should be nonviolent. We are very sad for all the athletes and the people who expected so much from the run and have been spoiled of their joy," Rogge said.
Hundreds of activists carrying Tibetan flags and wearing traditional clothes gathered in United Nations Plaza, a pedestrian area near San Francisco's City Hall, to denounce China's policy toward Tibet and the recent crackdown on protesters there. They then marched to the Chinese Consulate as part of a daylong Tibetan Torch Relay.
Recent comments
Most of us would simply jump on the band wagon to condemn China on...
Pause | April 9, 2008 at 3:22 p.m.
Well, the Chinese just need to borrow Dave Chekkets. He'll stop...
Anonymous | April 9, 2008 at 2:50 p.m.
Where were the protesters when China was given the Olympics? By...
Jon W | April 9, 2008 at 1:03 p.m.
