Olympic torch hidden, route changed to thwart protestors

San Francisco - The symbolic Olympic torch was lit Wednesday in San Francisco in a bizarre event that saw it taken into hiding in a warehouse and among a convoy of buses and amphibious vehicles. Police pass pro-China spectators prior to the unveiling of the Olympic torch along the wharf in San Francisco on 09 April 2008. Demonstrations which followed the torch in France and the UK disrupted the torch's progress and San Francisco officials increased security to prevent violence. EPA/SEAN MASTERSON

Police pass pro-China spectators prior to the unveiling of the Olympic torch along the wharf in San Francisco on 09 April 2008. Demonstrations which followed the torch in France and the UK disrupted the torch's progress and San Francisco officials increased security to prevent violence. EPA/SEAN MASTERSONThe efforts were a bid to thwart thousands of protestors lining the expected route along the San Francisco waterfront. The flame eventually appeared about an hour later in the hands of two runners, far from the original route and surrounded by a cordon of police on motorbikes and Chinese security officers. The torch relay was preceded by minor skirmishes as Beijing supporters waving huge red flags confronted demonstrators protesting Chinese policies. 'Liars, liars, liars,' shouted hundreds of ethnic Chinese at protestors who held a Tibetan flag and signs saying 'Save Darfur.' Elsewhere, people draped in Tibetan flags lay in the streets in an attempt to disrupt the torch relay. Police were out in force to keep the opposing groups apart, and there were no immediate reports of arrests as thousands of demonstrators gathered along the San Francisco's famous waterfront to cheer or jeer the passage of the Olympic flame. Many of the protestors condemned Beijing's policies in Tibet and curtailment of freedom of speech in China, but there was also a group of nudists calling for a return to the way the ancient Greek games were played. Officials in the famously progressive city were anxious to avoid the scenes of mayhem that dogged the torch's passage through Paris and London, conferring with French and British authorities to devise a strategy. Adding to the volatile mix is San Francisco's large Chinese emigre community, many of whom see China's hosting of the Olympic Games as a source of national pride. 'This has been a dream for China to show the world what kind of progress we have made,' said Han Moy, who was born in China but has lived in the United States for 50 years. 'We are trying to accomplish two goals here. One is to protect the right to free speech, and the other is to ensure public safety, and here in San Francisco we are good at both of those things,' said Nathan Ballard, a spokesman for Mayor Gavin Newsom. At the same authorities were preparing for the worst. Ambulances were stationed at strategic points along the planned thoroughfare, where police teams placed barriers to control crowds and secure the torch route. Police Chief Heather Fong said that officers, including some who will run with torchbearers, have watched events unfold in Europe and were adjusting their strategies. 'What is most important is, at the end of the day the people are peaceful and safe, and it's a successful situation,' Fong said. 'If there's violence and people get hurt, then it hurts every opinion that is out there.' Most protesters have pledged to act peacefully and not attempt to disrupt the passage of the torch as happened in London and Paris. The tone was set early Wednesday, when groups of Tibetan monks marched across the Golden Gate Bridge. On Tuesday night, actor Richard Gere and Nobel peace laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu led a peaceful human-rights vigil, after other demonstrators lit what they called the Tibetan Freedom Torch. 'It is fantastic what people have been doing,' Tutu told reporters at the Candle Lights for Human Rights vigil at San Francisco's United Nations Plaza. The scenes of mayhem prompted speculation that future legs of the global torch tour would be cancelled to avoid further anti-China protests. Members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said Wednesday that they have ruled out cutting short the protest-plagued international portion of the Olympic torch relay. Mario Vazquez Rana, president of the Association of National Olympic Committees, said after sharing dinner Tuesday night with Rogge that the IOC president was '100-per-cent convinced' not to make any changes to the international relay. IOC vice-president Thomas Bach said he expected 'that it will continue,' and Swedish executive board member Gunilla Lindbergh also shared this view. 'My opinion is that we have to do exactly what we planned,' she told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa. 'The torch has to complete its international trip.'

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FREEDOM OF SPEECH OR FREEDROM?Apr 10th, 2008 - 00:49:45

It is so nice to see the inside of Hypocricy!

Does american government let people practice their own religion NO!to attack other's religion is ok! FREEDOM OF SPEECH

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If you don't like it, get out.... Get out anyway.Apr 10th, 2008 - 02:50:28

'Does american[sic] government let people practice their own religion '

Sure they do, unless it is a barbaric, animalistic one that celebrates murder, pedophilia and savagery.

'FREEDOM OF SPEECH'

That's right bee-atch. But you are more then welcome to go back where you are unencumbered by such things as freedom of speech or thought.

Here, have a look:

www.jihadwatch.org/m6.jpeg

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thumbs up to SFPDApr 10th, 2008 - 04:20:12

great control. surely, the torch runners were force to walk, but no one got hurt. Those F T protestor were out for blood. Mayor Newsom made the right move.

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Free TibetApr 10th, 2008 - 05:46:39

Over the last 60 years over 1.2 million Tibetans have been massacred in cold blood by the Chinese military. Why has the world remained silent? Why?

China's human rights abuses are 'staggering': the detention of hundreds of thousands of people, including political activists, for 'reeducation' programs, and forced labor camps; and the liberal use of the death penalty in China -- including for political prisoners -- which makes China the site of 8 of every 10 government administered executions carried out in the world!

It is clear that the Communists can't be trusted at all and they have a bag full of tricks to fool not only Tibetans but the people of China with a state-controlled press. The solution is a free Tibet. There is no doubt that a sovereign Tibet would be a savior state not only for Tibetans but for all ethnic groups of China who have nowhere to go if they disagree with the CCP. A free Tibet would be such a free democratic heaven and haven.

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Your Shame is ShowingApr 10th, 2008 - 09:20:15

May the torch of freedom ignite the world. Tibet deserves more from the community of nations.

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For the Unsung DeadApr 10th, 2008 - 09:22:00

The Olympics will be played in shame.

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SP4: Wanna Play???Apr 11th, 2008 - 19:07:23

'It is so nice to see the inside of Hypocricy!

Does american government let people practice their own religion NO!to attack other's religion is ok! FREEDOM OF SPEECH'

I'd have to say yes to the first and no to the second.

America, in fact, was founded by religous exiles. Freedom of religion is guaenteed in the Constitution WHILE making sure no specific religion is recognized as the state relgion.

Freedom of Speech does not guarentee unrestricted speech i.e. you cannot go to someones door and harass them.

These are pretty easy concepts, for everyone who isn't wearing some kind of tinfoil cap.

As for attacking religion, our system allows it within the boundries of speech, but protects the institutions, and their followers, from harm.

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