San Francisco bracing for protests on Olympic torch route

SAN FRANCISCO — Security was tightened on the Golden Gate Bridge and elsewhere around the city Tuesday as officials prepared for massive protests of China's crackdown in Tibet during the Olympic torch's only North American stop on its journey to Beijing.

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.

"There's people from all over the U.S. — New York, Washington D.C., Canada, a few people from India," he said. "It means a lot. It shows that we can all come together when it's needed."

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.