April 8, 2008

The Flame Under Fire

Tight security surrounds the Olympic torch as it arrives in California

By Andrea Delbanco

Runners carrying the torch for the 2008 Beijing Summer Games will pass thousands of protestors along their six-mile route through San Francisco, California, on Wednesday afternoon. At least one runner who planned to carry the torch dropped out of the relay due to security concerns, despite detailed plans to try to contain the protests and keep them peaceful. Police officers and ambulances will be stationed along the route, which could change at the last minute.

CHRISTOPHE ENA—AP Pro-Tibet protestors wave Tibetan flags on the route of the Olympic torch relay in Paris, France.

California is the only stop the torch will make in the United States. It wraps up the first week of its 85,000-mile, 20-country international tour, which has been marked by protests and anger over China's human rights record. Pro-Tibetan protests broke out at the lighting ceremony in Olympia, Greece, and have persisted throughout the torch's tour.

China has imposed a strict rule on Tibet since Chinese troops arrived in 1950. Before that time, Tibet was a largely independent nation. China cracked down on Tibetan language, culture and the Buddhist religion in the 1960s. It has been a source of conflict between the Chinese government and the Tibetan people ever since.

Passionate Protests

At least 36 people were arrested along the torch's route in London, England, on Sunday. Protests turned violent in Paris, France, on Monday. Thousands of protesters gathered in the streets, slowing the relay to a near stop. Protesters grabbed for the torch, forcing Chinese security officials to snuff out the flame five times. Guards transported the torch by bus to get it away from the crowds.

The torch arrived in San Francisco on Tuesday under heavy security and surrounded by secrecy. On Monday, three people climbed the Golden Gate Bridge to hang a Tibetan flag and two banners. The signs were quickly removed from the landmark bridge and the climbers came down safely.

Next Stop?

The torch is scheduled to travel to Buenos Aires, Argentina, after it leaves San Francisco. It is then supposed to visit a dozen other countries before entering China in May for the final portion of the relay.

But Jacques Rogge, president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), says that the IOC will consider ending the traditional torch relay this year because of the anti-Chinese protests. The committee will meet this week to talk about the fate of the flame.

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