The Torch Relay Episode at San Francisco

Last week was a very hectic one for me. I could hardly sneak through some time to upload the pictures and videos of the demonstrations at San Francisco. I was a little disappointed that the city authorities changed the route of the Olympic torch. I witnessed the demonstrations at the intersection of Market Street and The Embarcadero. That was the original designated place for the relay to end.

The scene was euphoric. The pro-China demonstrators outnumbered the pro-free-Tibet crowd until noon. However, things turned around after noon, and anti-China protesters poured from all the streets at once. They were noisy and more organized, as they forced the crowd holding Chinese flag to take a back foot. The Tibetans cried the slogans with great commotion. Their face showed pain, anger and restlessness – all the same time. I could clearly distinguish the Tibetans from non-Tibetans based on the emotions running deep in their eyes. Some of the Chinese expatriates also got disturbed, because they knew for sure that many Americans who joined their adversaries didn’t even know where Tibet stood on the world map.

A view of The Embarcadero

The Pro-China, Pro-Olympics group marching to welcome the Olympic torch

The Tibetan protesters wave their flags

A signature campaign to welcome the torch. If you zoom in the picture, you may notice that most of the signatures are in Chinese

Sir, your art work may sell for millions on Sotheby's. You may want to think about it.....

The guy on the bicycle calls for boycotting all Chinese made goods. Dude, where's your bike manufactured? What about your jacket, sun glasses, gloves, and shoes?

Ma'am, I am with you. You definitely deserve more support!

Cool! But what does it mean? And why is that star in the middle of C?

Pro-free-Tibet protesters spoil the welcome parade. A young Tibetan gets emotional in one of the clips and embarrasses a Chinese gentle man.

I really don't understand what this woman is trying to say. Some how, the Chinese woman watching her from the other end can follow what she says. She starts an argument, which once again, I can't understand. Oh! boy! (Caution: the language used in the clip may not be appropriate for some of you. So please use your judgment to watch the clip)

While Olympics gives an opportunity for the Tibetan freedom seekers to get wide publicity, which they rightfully deserve, for those who think it is an occasion where sportspersons get together by burying the politics aside, the torch relay has been a major disaster!