2008 Woodie Awards
Olympic protest peaks on Golden Gate Bridge
Cheyenne Lee
Issue date: 4/15/08 Section: News
In a bizarre twist of coincidence Tibet's Dalai Lama arrived in Seattle, Washington on April 10, a day after clashing protesters, blue track-suited "Olympic torch protectors" and route changes marred further the long embittered torch relay through San Francisco.
San Francisco is the only North American stop for the torch. The city was chosen for its large Chinese population. The flame arrived Wednesday, April 9, in San Francisco on its 20-country journey.
Beijing, China will host the 2008 Olympics. The protests are over the torch coming to San Francisco because of China's violent crackdown over Tibet.
The troubled region's exiled spiritual leader is slated to attend Seattle's Seeds of Compassion conference, and will also be speaking also at the University of Washington, the KayArena and Qwest Field, as well as the Seattle Center.
The Dalai Lama will then head to Michigan on April 15 for another conference. However, his timing of arrival in the U.S. is purely a coincidence; his schedule is typically spelled out a year in advance.
Yang Chen Lhamo, the protest coordinator of Students for a Free Tibet (SFAFT) said that several thousand pro-Tibet protestors gathered with her to ensure that China did not divert attention from the civil rights situation in Tibet and torture its citizens.
"We want to put them on notice that [the torch] will not be warmly welcomed," said Lhamo. She insisted that their message would be heard, nonviolently, but loud and clear.
Three protestors made headlines for SFAFT's cause on April 7, by scaling the Golden Gate Bridge (GGB) and hanging two signs from its orange cables. They wore helmets and safety gear, and were obviously experienced climbers.
Tibetan flags fluttered by their signs which read "One World, One Dream: Free Tibet," and "Free Tibet 08." They were assisted by four other protestors, who were also arrested and charged.
Lhamo said authorities freed the three protestors Thursday, April 10.
San Francisco is the only North American stop for the torch. The city was chosen for its large Chinese population. The flame arrived Wednesday, April 9, in San Francisco on its 20-country journey.
Beijing, China will host the 2008 Olympics. The protests are over the torch coming to San Francisco because of China's violent crackdown over Tibet.
The troubled region's exiled spiritual leader is slated to attend Seattle's Seeds of Compassion conference, and will also be speaking also at the University of Washington, the KayArena and Qwest Field, as well as the Seattle Center.
The Dalai Lama will then head to Michigan on April 15 for another conference. However, his timing of arrival in the U.S. is purely a coincidence; his schedule is typically spelled out a year in advance.
Yang Chen Lhamo, the protest coordinator of Students for a Free Tibet (SFAFT) said that several thousand pro-Tibet protestors gathered with her to ensure that China did not divert attention from the civil rights situation in Tibet and torture its citizens.
"We want to put them on notice that [the torch] will not be warmly welcomed," said Lhamo. She insisted that their message would be heard, nonviolently, but loud and clear.
Three protestors made headlines for SFAFT's cause on April 7, by scaling the Golden Gate Bridge (GGB) and hanging two signs from its orange cables. They wore helmets and safety gear, and were obviously experienced climbers.
Tibetan flags fluttered by their signs which read "One World, One Dream: Free Tibet," and "Free Tibet 08." They were assisted by four other protestors, who were also arrested and charged.
Lhamo said authorities freed the three protestors Thursday, April 10.
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