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Protesters Follow Olympic Torch to Acropolis

Demonstrations in Greece remain mostly peaceful

By Mitch Pritchard,  Newser User

Posted Mar 29, 2008 8:14 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Olympic torchbearers made their way to the Acropolis in Greece today with the help of heavy security that kept protesters at arm's length, the AP reports. Activists have set up camp by candlelight outside the stadium—site of the first modern Olympics in 1896— to protest China's human rights record and the recent crackdown in Tibet. The torch will be passed to Chinese officials tomorrow.

"There is a permanent and large police presence around it, aided by helicopter surveillance," a police official told AFP. One pro-Tibet group unfurled a "Free Tibet 2008" banner outside the site. Earlier, a group of anti-globalization demonstrators briefly scuffled with police. Organizers made last-minute changes to the relay route to avoid disruptions.

Police watch over a group of Danish protesters, all dressed in orange, gathered outside the headquarters of the Hellenic Olympic Committee today.
Police watch over a group of Danish protesters, all dressed in orange, gathered outside the headquarters of the Hellenic Olympic Committee today.   (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
Members of a pro-Tibet group hold candles as they protest at the foot of the Acropolis in Athens on Saturday, March 29, 2008.
Members of a pro-Tibet group hold candles as they protest at the foot of the Acropolis in Athens on Saturday, March 29, 2008.   (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
Members of a pro-Tibet group hold a candle-lit protest at the foot of the Acropolis in Athens, Saturday, March 29, 2008.
Members of a pro-Tibet group hold a candle-lit protest at the foot of the Acropolis in Athens, Saturday, March 29, 2008.   (AP Photo/Phil Ipparis)
Police watch over a group of Danish protesters, all dressed in orange, gathered outside the headquarters of the Hellenic Olympic Committee on Saturday, March 29, 2008.
Police watch over a group of Danish protesters, all dressed in orange, gathered outside the headquarters of the Hellenic Olympic Committee on Saturday, March 29, 2008.   (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
Greek police gesture to a Danish protester, dressed in orange, during a protest outside the headquarters of the Hellenic Olympic Committee today.
Greek police gesture to a Danish protester, dressed in orange, during a protest outside the headquarters of the Hellenic Olympic Committee today.   (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
A Danish protester, hold leaflets, outside the headquarters of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, Athens, Greece, today.
A Danish protester, hold leaflets, outside the headquarters of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, Athens, Greece, today.   (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
A row of riot police are reflected in the sunglasses of a Danish protester, dressed in orange, outside the headquarters of the Hellenic Olympic Committee on today.
A row of riot police are reflected in the sunglasses of a Danish protester, dressed in orange, outside the headquarters of the Hellenic Olympic Committee on today.   (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
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Torch will arrive at Tiananmen Square on Monday
International Herald Tribune

Chinese enjoy may run with torch in London
Times (UK)

Website of the 2008 Summer Olympics
http://en.beijing2008.cn/

 
2008 Beijing Olympics • Greece • Tibet • Olympic torch • Acropolis • Tibetans • Olympic protests

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