Scuffles mar Olympic torch relay

by LoopZilla | April 6, 2008 at 03:03 am
1337 views | 14 Recommendations | 19 comments

Videos

London Protests Against Chinese Imperialism 2

see larger video

sourced by Jordan Yerman

London Protests Against Chinese Imperialism 2

Photos

Flags at the Relay

Flags at the Relay

see larger image

uploaded by miss_hay

Despite bitter temperatures and sleet, impromptu carnivals are expected as the torch passes iconic landmarks such as Nelson's Column, St Paul's Cathedral and Tower Bridge.
Advertisement
recommend This comment thread is now closed
andrewgrill
andrewgrill
flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 03:50 on April 6th, 2008

LoopZilla, I like this story. It's good stuff.

0
Jordan Yerman

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.

Rachel Nixon
Rachel Nixon
flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 08:20 on April 6th, 2008

There are some great photos from contributors here - thanks.

0
Michael Steward

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

Michael Steward has contributed a photo to this story.

0
某猴子

I love china.

某猴子 has contributed a photo to this story.

0
Jeff Galasso

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

0
haikang.tan

Chinatown welcomes the Olympic touch

haikang.tan has contributed a photo to this story.

0
adambowie

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.

adambowie has contributed a photo to this story.

0
Ben P Jones

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

Ben P Jones has contributed a photo to this story.

0
Totally Richard Johnson

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.

0
tomsflickrfotos

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

tomsflickrfotos has contributed a photo to this story.

dowdinsk
dowdinsk
flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 01:02 on April 7th, 2008

LoopZilla, it's good stuff.

In adition to the torch having to be placed inside the safety of a bus to get it up Fleet Street to St Pauls, hundreds of expectant spectators were left bemused at Stratford town centre in the heart of the London 2012 zone. As part of a carnival event organised by London Borough of Newham they'd been led to believe they'd see the torch carried through the streets by a runner according to the advertised programme, but it just didn't happen.

 

0
pschauer

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.

0
Mairbu

Protestor at the lighting of the Cauldron at the Finale.

Mairbu has contributed a photo to this story.

0
suburbia2050

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.

suburbia2050 has contributed a photo to this story.

0
Rob Thomas

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.

0
lexberko

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.

 

 

0
jussisnaps

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.

0
Amy Judd

Great photos everyone!

This story was created over 3 months ago, the comment thread is now closed.

NowPublic on Facebook

What is NowPublic?

NowPublic lets people work together to cover news events around the world.

Find out more

Crowd Power

andrewgrill
First Flagged at 3:50 AM, Apr 6, 2008 by andrewgrill
These members have powered this story:

Most Recommended Stories in World

 

closeSign in to NowPublic

is reporting from