Tibetans protest Olympic torch relay

SAN FRANCISCO – Tibetan immigrants protesting Chinese control of their homeland vowed Monday to make San Francisco, the only U.S. city to host the Olympic torch relay, the focal point of American demonstrations against the Beijing Games.

Demonstrators unfurled a Tibetan flag over the flight of white stone steps leading into San Francisco City Hall and held a portrait of the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader, above the crowd next to banners saying “Olympics in China, Torture in Tibet,” and “Truth is our only weapon.”

The protesters also called on Mayor Gavin Newsom to reject the April 9 torch run and urged city officials to pass a resolution calling on China to improve conditions for Tibetans in their homeland.

“San Francisco has always stood for freedom and human rights,” said protester Yangchen Lhamo. “But Gavin Newsom has clearly sided with China on this.”

Newsom’s spokesman had no immediate comment.

Monday was the anniversary of a failed 1959 Tibetan uprising that forced the Dalai Lama into exile, and Tibetan exiles around the world used the day to protest this summer’s Games.

Exiles demonstrated in New Delhi, India, and Kathmandu, Nepal. In Dharmsala, India, the home of the Tibetan government in exile, hundreds of Tibetans started a planned six-month march to their homeland but were stopped a day into it by police, who were acting on an Indian government order banning the march.

In Olympia, Greece, birthplace of the ancient Olympic Games, Tibetans lit a Freedom Torch to start a relay that will go through 50 cities and finish inside Tibet the day Beijing holds opening ceremonies, Aug. 8.