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San Francisco in Fine Frenzy Over Torch

Security tightens as protesters hit streets for relay

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 9, 2008 4:54 AM CDT
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(Newser) – The Olympic torch winds its way through San Francisco today and authorities are bracing for big trouble from protesters who have already hit the streets, AP reports. The torch was buffeted by protests in London and Paris, where the relay was cut short, and the worst may be yet to come as Left Coast pro-Tibet activists harry the flame. Officers will accompany the torch every second of its six-mile route through the city—which is likely to be changed at the last minute.

As officials readied ambulances and police wagons, some residents expressed dismay about potential trouble, while human rights groups prepared to seize the spotlight. "This is not about us battling the torchbearers," an activist said. "This is about the Chinese government using the torch for political purposes. We're going to use it right back."

Jiang Xiaoyu, left, executive vice president of the Beijing organizing committee holds the Olympic flame, shortly after arriving at San Francisco International airport, Tuesday, April 8, 2008.
Jiang Xiaoyu, left, executive vice president of the Beijing organizing committee holds the Olympic flame, shortly after arriving at San Francisco International airport, Tuesday, April 8, 2008.   (AP Photo/ Tony Avelar, Pool)
Thinley Gyaltsen, right, listens to speakers at a Tibetan rally in protest of China's Olympic torch at the Chinese Consulate in San Francisco, Tuesday, April 8, 2008.
Thinley Gyaltsen, right, listens to speakers at a Tibetan rally in protest of China's Olympic torch at the Chinese Consulate in San Francisco, Tuesday, April 8, 2008.   (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Tibetans and supporters waves Tibetan flags at a rally in protest of China's Olympic torch at the Chinese Consulate in San Francisco, Tuesday, April 8, 2008.
Tibetans and supporters waves Tibetan flags at a rally in protest of China's Olympic torch at the Chinese Consulate in San Francisco, Tuesday, April 8, 2008.   (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Tibetans and supporters yell at a rally in protest of China's Olympic torch at City Hall in San Francisco, April 8, 2008.
Tibetans and supporters yell at a rally in protest of China's Olympic torch at City Hall in San Francisco, April 8, 2008.   (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Hanging from the cables of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Monday, April 7, 2008, a demonstrator holds up a sign that reads No Olympic Torch in Tibet as another holds up a Tibetan flag .
Hanging from the cables of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Monday, April 7, 2008, a demonstrator holds up a sign that reads "No Olympic Torch in Tibet" as another holds up a Tibetan flag .   (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
Three people protesting China's human rights record and the impending arrival of the Olympic torch climb up the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Monday, April 7, 2008.
Three people protesting China's human rights record and the impending arrival of the Olympic torch climb up the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Monday, April 7, 2008.   (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
Kalsang Gyaltsen, foreground, chants during a pro-Tibet rally on Tuesday, April 8, 2008, in San Francisco.
Kalsang Gyaltsen, foreground, chants during a pro-Tibet rally on Tuesday, April 8, 2008, in San Francisco.   (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
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