Security tight for San Francisco torch relay
Security was tightened around San Francisco today as officials prepared for massive protests against 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 arrival yesterday following widespread and chaotic demonstrations during the torch relay in London and Paris.
Activists are protesting China’s human rights record, its crackdown in Tibet and support for Sudan despite years of bloodshed in Darfur.
The torch is scheduled to be paraded through the city later today on a six-mile route that hugs San Francisco Bay.
One runner who planned to carry the torch 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 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.
Meanwhile, a few miles away 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 on 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 recognise the right for people to protest and express their views, but it should be non-violent. 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,” Mr 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 an all-day Tibetan Torch Relay.
The day of protests culminated in an evening candlelight vigil for Tibet, with speeches by actor Richard Gere and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa, who called on President George Bush and other heads of state to boycott the opening ceremonies in Beijing.
“We must tell the leaders of the world, ’For goodness sake, for God’s sake, for the sake of your children, our children, for the sake of the beautiful people of Tibet, don’t go!”’ Mr Tutu told the crowd of hundreds.
San Francisco was chosen to host the relay in part because of its large Asian population.
The six-mile path currently assigned for the relay is shorter than the courses in Paris and London, making it easier to secure.
Security was tightened on the Golden Gate Bridge. On Monday, three protesters scaled the landmark and tied the Tibetan flag and two banners to its cables. Pedestrians and bike riders now must have any large bags checked before they are allowed to cross the bridge.
After San Francisco, the torch is scheduled to travel to Buenos Aires, Argentina, and then to a dozen other countries.
The relay also is expected to face demonstrations in New Delhi and possibly elsewhere on its 21-stop, six-continent tour before arriving in mainland China on May 4. The Olympics begin on August 8.
The round-the-world trip is the longest in Olympic history, and is meant to highlight China’s rising economic and political power.
