Guardian photographer and writer Charles Russo sent over these pics of this afternoon's Olympic torch protests and rallies:
Tibetan-born Lobsang Lama (center left) traveled from his home in Portland, Oregon to protest China's human rights violations in Tibet and its hosting of the 2008 Olympics.
Tibetan Tagudh Youndoung engages in debate with a pro-Chinese supporter along the Embarcadero while waiting for the Olympic Torch procession.
After the huge crowds outside the Ferry Building and Justin Herman Plaza realized the Olympic Torch route had changed, the previously cordoned-off Embarcadero became a logjam of confrontations between Tibetan and Chinese supporters.
A pro-China demonstrator seeks to keep a torn Chinese flag aloft after it had been ripped by Tibetan activists.
Jack Kornfield (right with sign) and Ashin Nanikabhivamsa led a huge peace walk of Burmese monks and activists across the Golden Gate Bridge in solidarity with Tibetan protestors.
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Comments (2)
"A pro-China demonstrator seeks to keep a torn Chinese flag aloft after it had been ripped by Tibetan activists."
As a caption, this is very poor journalism. It is leading and biased and I am shocked that any news agency would force a spin such as this when there was such an honorable opportunity instead for San Francisco to be shown to the world by two opposing forces being in an open forum without bloodshed.
Why stoop to 'ripped by Tibetan activists' when both letting the image show a torn China flag and letting the lack of arrests and incidents, a wacky path for a one-stop torch in USA, and similar, non-violent reactions be our most glorious assist to Tibetans and showing to Chinese that one can be both strong and understanding.
Sometimes the rollercoaster of patriotism has very quick ups and downs indeed.
Posted by d scott | April 9, 2008 10:51 PM
Top marks to San Fran for letting protesters and torch supporters let off steam unhindered provided they did not resort to violent acts. Good move also to re-route march to avoid probable confrontations.
Posted by Ozbill | April 10, 2008 01:38 AM