Hot on Facebook

Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

Torch Untroubled in Argentina

Heavy security but relatively few protesters for Buenos Aires leg of torch tour

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 12, 2008 5:59 AM CDT

(Newser) – A few water balloons were the worst threat to the Olympic flame yesterday in Buenos Aires, where the torch relay enjoyed an uninterrupted run, the BBC reports, after major disruptions in London, Paris, and San Francisco. Groups of pro- and anti-China protesters gathered along its route, guarded by some 5,000 police officers, but only minor scuffles occurred and the mood was largely festive.

"Between inaction and violence, there are a range of tensions, and we are trying to act within a constructive range of tension—even if that might be boring," said one activist who unrolled a huge "Free Tibet" sign along the torch's route.

[Images (6)]

[Videos (1)]

Police officers stand on guard as demonstrators, along the route of the Olympic Torch's tour in Buenos Aires, hold up Tibetan flags and signs demanding freedom for the Tibet Friday, April 11, 2008. (AP Photo/Marcelo Hernandez)

A convoy accompanying the Olympic torch, bottom right, passes by the Obelisk in Buenos Aires, Friday, April 11, 2008. (AP Photo/Ivan Fernandez)

A demonstrator, front, holds up a sign that reads "Free Tibet" as torch-bearer Walter Perez waves to the crowd during the Olympic Torch relay in Buenos Aires, Friday, April 11, 2008. (AP Photo/Marcelo Hernandez)

Members of the Chinese community in Argentina wave flags and chant pro China slogans as they wait to cheer the Olympic Torch in Buenos Aires, Friday, April 11, 2008. (AP Photo/Ivan Fernandez)

Demonstrators hold a banner asking freedom for Tibet during a protest in front of Buenos Aires' famous obelisk, Wednesday, April 9, 2008. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Runner Magdalena Aicega, left, of Argentina's field hockey team, carries the Olympic Torch during its Buenos Aires tour, Friday, April 11, 2008. (AP Photo/Mercelo Hernandez)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

The Olympic Torch passes through the city of Buenos Aires. (portalfitness)

View larger videos >>

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next »

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Olympic Committee May Cancel Torch Relay

IOC to meet in Beijing to discuss massive protests

(NEWSER) - The International Olympic Committee has scheduled an extraordinary meeting to discuss whether the remainder of this year's torch relay should be canceled. In the face of massive protests against China's human rights abuses, the committee is considering a plan to limit the remainder of the relay to China, reports AFP. But Beijing officials have insisted that the relay will continue as planned. More»

Australia Spirits Away Torch Ahead of Relay

Protesters do their thing anyway

(NEWSER) - The Olympic torch arrived Down Under today, but was immediately whisked off to a secret location to avoid protesters, the AP reports. Tomorrow’s torch relay in Canberra will be open to the public—unlike those in Jakarta and New Delhi—but the route will be lined with yard-high fences and police. More»

Delhi Melee Rocks Torch Arrival

Downtown locked down

(NEWSER) - The Olympic torch was greeted with furious protests as it arrived in Delhi today, and 15,000 security forces have locked down the heart of the city ahead of the relay, Reuters reports. Members of India's large community of Tibetan exiles have vowed massive protests to highlight China's human rights abuses. Dozens were arrested outside the hotel where the torch is being kept. More»

India Steels for Torch Protest Showdown

Tibetans pour in for New Delhi high noon

(NEWSER) - Security protecting the Olympic torch will face its toughest test yet as thousands of Tibetan protesters converge on New Delhi for the Indian leg of the relay tomorrow. Hunger strikes, relay disruptions and attempts to grab the torch are all being planned. One Indian television station is referring to the flame as the "tortured torch." More»

IOC Head: We Can Weather Torch 'Crisis'

Dalai Lama supports Chinese Olympics —and open protests

(NEWSER) - The protests following the Olympic torch around the globe are a “crisis,” but the International Olympic Committee has faced worse, its chief said today. The Games, he said, would “rebound," the BBC reports. Meanwhile, the Dalai Lama said China “deserved” to host, CNN reports. "We are not anti-Chinese," the Tibetan spiritual leader said. But he also supports the protesters' right to be heard: "Nobody has the right to tell them to shut up." More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Torch Untroubled in Argentina