SF Braces for Olympic Protests

April 7, 2008 — -- Three people climbed San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge on Monday, pausing only to unravel a flag reading "One World, One Dream, FreeTibet.org," in the first protest on U.S. soil surrounding the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

The traditional Olympic torch relay, which is set to make its first and only stop in the United States on Wednesday, has been followed not only by the usual onslaught of Olympic fans and onlookers, but also by critics and protestors enraged over China's stance on human rights, particularly in Tibet.

Olympic officials were forced to put out the torch on five different occasions during the relay through Paris on Monday, preventing protestors from grabbing at it and eventually forcing the relay's cancellation.

"Never before has this happened," said Anthony Bykerk, the secretary general of the International Society of Olympic Historians, of the protests surrounding the Olympic torch. "This is the first time that the torch relay has ever been an element of protest, it's usually a very big celebration."

While protests and political agendas have often come to the forefront during and leading up to Olympics, said Bykerk, the events of the past couple of days — and the San Francisco incident — are especially troubling.

"This is worse because now they are protesting against the torch relay which has nothing to do with politics but is supposed to be a symbol of unity — not used as protest," said Bykerk. "If these people want to protest against the human rights question in Tibet, they should have done it 50 years ago."

And with just a day before the torch comes to the U.S., protest groups are rallying their supporters and officials are scrambling to prepare for what may be another display of anti-China sentiment.

U.S. Braces for Torch Protests

State Department Spokesperson Sean McCormack, who told reporters Monday that the department is working with local law enforcement in San Francisco in preparation for the torch's arrival, emphasized the importance of finding a balance between the rights of the protestors and the rights of the event's organizers.

"I think everybody, it goes without saying, wants to have this be an event that is secure, is one that helps reflect the Olympic spirit, but also respects people's fundamental rights in this country to express themselves — peacefully express themselves," said McCormack. "So the folks in San Francisco have the lead in making sure that balance is appropriate."

SF Team Tibet, a coalition of Tibetans in the San Francisco area, are using their Web site to organize protestors and "shine the Olympic spotlight on China's atrocities in occupied Tibet," according to a statement on their site.

The group has posted an hour-by-hour schedule for Wednesday's torch relay and even provides a link for volunteers to print their own protest signs.

Despite the indications that protests will continue to occur in San Francisco, city officials aren't backing down, said McCormack.

"City officials have clearly said, and we support this, that they want this event to be able to take place," said McCormack. "But we also have a core and fundamental value here in the United States that people should be able to express themselves peacefully."

Sergeant Neville Gittens of the San Francisco Police Department declined to give specifics on the city's security measures for Wednesday, but told ABCNEWS.com that they're "monitoring events that have happened and are adjusting their plan accordingly."

"Days off were cancelled for all members, including our patrolmen, sergeants and inspectors back in January for this particular event," said Gittens of the increase in police force.

"Our goal is to make sure that we provide a safe environment for all participants," said Gittens. "And if individuals take part in acts of civil disobedience or other criminal acts, force will be taken against them."

"But at the same time, we will protect the First Amendment rights of all individuals attending the event," added Gittens.

In an e-mail statement to ABCNews.com, a spokesperson for the International Olympic Committee declined to comment on the "relay play-by-play" but said that the organization did "respect the rights of local communities to manage peaceful and non-peaceful demonstrations, as they deem necessary to maintain order."

"We would also hope that the rights of those who have the honor of carrying the torch and those who have turned out to support it are respected too," the statement read.

Presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton also voiced her opinions on China's government Monday, calling on President George W. Bush to boycott the Games' opening ceremonies.

"The violent clashes in Tibet and the failure of the Chinese government to use its full leverage with Sudan to stop the genocide in Darfur are opportunities for presidential leadership," Clinton said in a written statement.

"These events underscore why I believe the Bush administration has been wrong to downplay human rights in its policy towards China. At this time, and in light of recent events, I believe President Bush should not plan on attending the opening ceremonies in Beijing, absent major changes by the Chinese government."

ABC News' Luis Martinez contributed to this report.