Where’s the freak’n torch? – Torch leaves San Francisco after surprise route designed to thwart protesters

Where’s the freak’n torch? I took some time off to make my way up to San Francisco to attend the historic San Francisco 2008 Beijing Olympic Torch relay, parking in Chinatown and walked to Justin Herman Plaza, where the closing ceremonies were supposed to take place. There was a big television screen where the organizers showed the torch being lit and then the Olympic torch runner soon disappeared… and later learned that the “Torch leaves San Francisco after surprise route designed to thwart protesters:”

“Some protesters caught up to the run along its surprise route, but most stayed at Justin Herman Plaza, where a closing ceremony was planned. That ceremony was canceled in lieu of a quieter affair at San Francisco International Airport. The torch is expected to leave for Buenos Aires on a China Airways flight. The torch was originally scheduled to head from McCovey Cove along the waterfront to Fisherman’s Wharf and back to Justin Herman Plaza. But after an opening ceremony, the torch was instead driven from McCovey Cove to Van Ness Avenue, where pairs of runners – buffered by dozens of police officers – carried it north to Bay Street and Marina Boulevard and onto Doyle Drive near the Golden Gate Bridge. That route was originally discounted by city officials as being too high profile. The torch finally headed out of the city around 3:30 p.m. and arrived at the airport at 4:15 p.m.”

The San Francisco Chronicle then reports about how many people were disappointed. Well, I definitely was! But I am sure a lot of other people were a LOT more disappointed than I was – since I had read and heard that lots of supporters (as well as protesters) had arrived early to get their places along the parade route.

When I got there, I have to say, that clearly something was not right. As there were areas where one could cross the Embarcadero to get to the other side of the street. But in the street itself, there were a ton of people walking along either carrying signs supporting China or protesting against China – for a free Tibet, for Darfur, for a free Burma, etc… I only saw a small group of supporters for Taiwan. Also, later, the couple of helicopters in the air moved away from the Embarcadero, so I knew something was up, and later checked on my mobile phone, that the route had indeed moved. There was a band at the plaza that kept on playing which kept things festive and people were yelling in support of or against China every so often, so it didn’t feel like people were board. Here is a video clip that I took at the plaza:

There is a great quote in the article by San Francisco Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin:

“Gavin Newsom runs San Francisco the way the premier of China runs his country – secrecy, lies, misinformation, lack of transparency and manipulating the populace,” Peskin said. “He misled supporters and opponents of the run. People brought their families and their children, and (mayoral officials) hatched a cynical plan to please the Bush State Department and the Chinese government because of the incredible influence of money. “He did it so China can report they had a great torch run,” Peskin said. “It’s the worst kind of government – government by deceit and misinformation.””

To be honest, I really don’t have an opinion on SF Mayor Gavin Newson, but I was fairly disappointed. While waiting to see if the torch would arrive for the closing ceremonies, I was interviewed by a local non-English television station, KMTP-TV (“Channel 32”) – by a Chinese reporter. I basically said that I was there to both support the Olympics and protest against the Chinese Communist government (and not against the Chinese people) – but basically, I was just enjoying a beautiful day and taking photos & videos. I’ve been to an Olympics before – the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics, and I have to say, the Olympic spirit is truly an experience you never forget (which may sound kind of cheesy, but it is true).

I have to imagine that overall, a lot of people were very disappointed that the original torch route was not followed. Had London and Paris had not been such disasters, the original route would have been taken. To be honest, I think things would have been fine if the original route was taken. For the most part, everyone at the torch relay was pretty civil. I only saw a few instances where some people were yelling at each other.

As The San Francisco Chronicle editorial summarized in “Torch relay turns into keep-away game Run … for cover“:

“Everyone who turned out should feel cheated. Along the Embarcadero route, Beijing’s backers and the groups opposed to China’s policies in Tibet, Burma and Darfur didn’t get a glimpse of the flaming torch. Casual observers who wanted to take in the torch’s only North American stop were likewise left out. In effect, the event was canceled. This was San Francisco’s chance to show how it respects and handles vigorous political dissent. It is also the hub of a region with great pride in its Olympic alliances. Thousands gathered to see the torch and express their passions, positive and negative, about the upcoming Games. Regrettably, our city leaders chose to run away from them.”

You can take a look at all of my photos I took on Flickr – here.