Scuffles mar Olympic torch relay

Update (via link above): 35 people have been arrested as a result of several clashes between protesters and police, including an incident in which a member of the public tried to grab the torch.

Protester in Trafalgar Square during the Olympic torch relay through London.

Michael Steward has contributed a photo to this story.

I love china.

某猴子 has contributed a photo to this story.

Things got pretty wild on Whitehall for awhile there.  With all the tension in the air it was really only a matter of time though.

Full set of photos from the torch relay rally

Chinatown welcomes the Olympic touch

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I stood on the corner of Gerrard Street, where the largely Chinese crowd were entertained by dragon dancing and inflatable Fuwa - the five characters who are the official Beijing mascots. The spectators were largely jovial, and many were carrying dual-language banners and signs wishing all the best for the games in the summer. As I say, this was in the heart of Chinatown, and if anywhere was going to give the games a good reception, it was here. After the relay runners had passed, a middle-aged man started shouting, "China out" quite loudly and repeatedly. This raised the hackles of several Chinese men standing nearby, but he wasn't to be dissuaded. So they had a loud and very confrontational shouting match which very nearly came to blows. The language used wasn't especially suitable for the young children who were also out in the cold to see the torch relay.

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Full set of Protest photos here - www.flickr.com/ben_jones

Ben P Jones has contributed a photo to this story.

At this point in the relay a large crowd started to form about the torch bearers. The result was that the torch was taken onto a bus and driven past St Pauls. Please see my Flickr account for more photos.

Totally Richard Johnson has contributed a photo to this story.

The police presence was so heavy you could barely makeout the torch in places.

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Patriotic students confront Free Tibet protesters in Trafalgar Square, during the 2008 Olympic torch relay through London.

pschauer has contributed a photo to this story.

Protestor at the lighting of the Cauldron at the Finale.

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I walked along a number of the main central spots, outside the British Museum, China Town, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square and Whitehall. Most were festive with many Chinese speaking people singing patriotic songs and heckling anyone provocatively waving the flag of Tibet. Mostly good natured but there were a number of isolated heated moments when people began to push each other. The mixed crowds also cheered as the Olympic floats passed by.

Whitehall was where the actual Tibet protest was held focused towards Downing Street. It was down Whitehall where I noticed an organised confrontational approach from the pro-Chinese Olympic crowd consisting of mainly students, organised by a few strong leader figures. As the Olympic flame left Downing Street the Tibet protest crowds surged and there was an air of action and slight chaos, at one point the Olympic flame group appeared to be stuck outside the Houses of Parliament. Police were actively pushing people out of the way as the Tibet protestors followed and surrounded the flame until the safety of the Thames.

Back along Whitehall the confrontation between the pro-Chinese Olympic crowd and the Tibet protestors was akin to a football match with the two sides widely separated by the police. The police tactics here showed professionalism and experience when dealing with large crowds and it was soon dispersed. Within an hour there were only a few minor groups left dotted around Trafalgar square and a few heated debates from members of each side. I did over hear more than once the word 'spy' being used by  members of the pro-Chinese Olympic when debating with members from the Tibet protest. Afterwards the Tibet protest crowd held an alternate ‘Olympic Flame’ event at Kings Cross station and I heard some talking about heading up to the Chinese embassy.

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Paula Radcliffe surrounded by Chinese and British security as she crosses Tower Bridge whilst on her relay leg carrying the Olympic Torch.

Rob Thomas has contributed a photo to this story.

Here are some more photos of the protesters and Beijing supporters outside the British Museum: http://flickr.com/photos/lexface/sets/72157604412183181/

I shot them yesterday around 1230. Hope you find them interesting.

This is from the Tower Hamlets and City group of Amnesty International demonstration for human rights in China, in Whitechapel, East London. www.amnesty.org.uk

jussisnaps has contributed a photo to this story.