Yesterday the torch came to San Francisco and since I have a lot of time on my hands (yes, I'm still looking for a job), I grabbed the camera and went downtown to see what all the fuss was about. When Gavin and I got to the Embarcadero, there were already thousands of people lining the streets. For the most part, everything was really peaceful. There were cops everywhere and there was a buzz in the air as everyone waited for the torch to make its way through the city and down to the waterfront.
Finally at 2pm, the police put on their helmets and everyone started going nuts because they thought the torch was on its way. The police signaled each other and they let the crowds into the streets where Pro-Beijing protesters clashed with Pro-Tibet ones. Words were exchanged, but it was non-violent and few arrests were made. Rumors started going around about where the torch had been re-directed and the scene was chaotic as news of the torch's whereabouts spread among the protesters.
At this point, we were too tired of waiting around and didn't want to chase after the torch so we went home and watched it unfold on tv. I have to say that I am happy that the torch never came down the Embarcadero, because there was no way the police could have stopped the crowds. It would have been a big mess. Sure, the City wussed out and changed the route at the last second, but at least everyone got to protest peacefully and the torch got to be run. Was this the true meaning of the Olympic Spirit? Probably no. I wonder how the torch will do in Buenos Aires and other stops along the way?
Thousands of people lined the Embarcadero.
At one point, the police put on their helmets and everyone got excited because they thought the torch was coming.
The police were notified that the torch was re-routed and so the crowds flooded the streets.
Pro-Beijing and Pro-Tibetian protesters clashed.
