Torch+in+San+Francisco+6

Margaret and Kathleen

On March 2008, Thousands of people were gathered in the streets of San Francisco to watch the Olympic torch be carried by. But, thousands of people were dissapionted when mayor Gavin Newsom and other organizers had the torch re-routed. Immediately after the torch was lit, it was taken into a warehouse and was driven about a mile away from the planned starting place. It was then handed to runners surrounded with heavy security. Many people had no idea of the torche's 'withdrawal' and the media was only informed two hours before the public. The closing ceremony, planned to be waterfront in Justin Herman Plaza was moved because of security fears. Instead, the closing event took place on a motorway fly-over, well away from the planned location. The torch was re-routed because of safety issues due to possibly violent protests involving China's oppression of Tibet. The organizers of the surprise route did this because they were worried about possible protests like in London and in Paris. In London thirty-seven people were arrested for trying to disrupt the run. And in Paris, the torch had to be put out three times due to protests. San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom told Reuters news agency: "We assessed the situation and felt that we could not secure the torch and protect the protesters and supporters to the degree that we wished." Many are very upset with the change in plans but others say that the mayor made the right decision. Even though the torch was not carried through, both the pro-Tibet and pro-China activists came face to face up to just two hours after the torch disappeared. The crowd started shouting things like “Free Tibet” and “Go China” the opposite supporters came face to face but there was no conflict. There was a meeting held in Chinatown in San Francisco. The people were trying to figure out a way of "peaceful protests" and asking themselves if China should hold the torch relay.



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