Hippie Staff
04-09-2008, 08:35 AM
4/9/08
San Francisco is bracing for thousands of anti-China protesters as the Olympic torch relay continues its controversial trek Wednesday, making its only North American stop in the city.
Security has been tightened for the afternoon run along the city's waterfront, in the wake of demonstrations in London and violent protests in Paris.
The sheriff's department will have 50 or more extra deputies and the California Highway Patrol has increased the number of officers on the ground. Officers will also run alongside the torchbearers.
But beefed-up security couldn't prevent the disruptions during the Paris segment of the relay, which had to be suspended at least five times in Paris as demonstrators threatened the torch. A vehicle carried the Olympic flame for the last part of the route, but a runner was allowed to carry the torch for the final five metres into a sports stadium in the south of Paris.
On Sunday, police repeatedly scuffled with protesters in London, including one who tried to grab the torch, while another tried to snuff out the flame with what appeared to be a fire extinguisher.
San Francisco is bracing for thousands of anti-China protesters as the Olympic torch relay continues its controversial trek Wednesday, making its only North American stop in the city.
Security has been tightened for the afternoon run along the city's waterfront, in the wake of demonstrations in London and violent protests in Paris.
The sheriff's department will have 50 or more extra deputies and the California Highway Patrol has increased the number of officers on the ground. Officers will also run alongside the torchbearers.
But beefed-up security couldn't prevent the disruptions during the Paris segment of the relay, which had to be suspended at least five times in Paris as demonstrators threatened the torch. A vehicle carried the Olympic flame for the last part of the route, but a runner was allowed to carry the torch for the final five metres into a sports stadium in the south of Paris.
On Sunday, police repeatedly scuffled with protesters in London, including one who tried to grab the torch, while another tried to snuff out the flame with what appeared to be a fire extinguisher.