SAN FRANCISCO (Map, News) - The Olympic torch for the Summer Games in Beijing is set to go on a “journey of harmony” around the world, but its scheduled stop in San Francisco is flaming discord.

Ongoing protests in San Francisco are expected to continue leading up to the April 9 torch ceremony in The City as those critical of China’s human rights record and its recent crackdown on Tibetan unrest call on city officials to join in denouncing that government.

On Thursday, hundreds of protesters attended a Board of Supervisors committee hearing on a controversial resolution introduced by Supervisor Chris Daly that urges the city representative receiving the torch in San Francisco to “make publicly known that the 2008 Summer Games Torch is received with alarm and protest” for China’s “egregious and ongoing human rights abuses.”

San Francisco was selected as the only North American stop for the Olympic torch.

“With the pomp and the pageantry and many of the positives that come along with being the lone host city in the United States of the Olympic torch comes significant responsibility,” Daly said. “It is imperative that we as leaders in San Francisco weigh in on human rights issues in China.”

Daly’s resolution, however, did not make it out of the committee. Committee chair Supervisor Carmen Chu introduced an amendment that makes no direct reference to China’s human rights record. The new version was approved in a 2-1 vote, with support from Supervisor Sean Elsbernd.

Supervisor Jake McGoldrick voted no after his request to send both versions to the full board was denied.

Chu’s version also welcomes two other torch events, not sponsored by the Olympics committee — the Tibetan Freedom Torch and a Human Rights Torch — that are also on worldwide tours with stops in San Francisco.

Chu said her version is a “good balance” that represents the different points of view. The resolution is scheduled to be voted on by the full Board on April 1.

Mayor Gavin Newsom was critical of Daly’s resolution. “If folks want to beat up China, beat up China but don’t beat up the spirit of the Olympics,” he said.

jsabatini@examiner.com

Comments from Examiner Readers

9:47 AM MST on Thu., Apr. 10, 2008 re: "Tension thick before Olympic torch relay"

Starchild said:
I was one of the protesters in San Francisco for a free Tibet, but I am not anti-China. I have a great deal of empathy for the people of China. I don't like the increasing authoritarianism of the Bush administration in the U.S., and I know in China it is worse. People there are oppressed by the same Neo-Communist regime that is oppressing people in Tibet, the regime that is also propping up the military junta that is killing and oppressing people in Burma, and the Islamist regime controlling Sudan that is allowing the genocide in Darfur. WIthin China, members of the Falun Gong spiritual movement are being persecuted and killed by the regime, some of them having their internal organs sold to earn money for the regime after it has murdered them. And of course it still has blood on its hands from the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre. People everywhere deserve to have their basic political freedoms and human rights respected. That is why I protested for a free Tibet and a free China.

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8:52 AM MST on Thu., Apr. 10, 2008 re: "Torch route still subject to change"

WDenton said:
As the person says below the communist government treats people like dogs. Yes and in a democracy we are free. We have the right to be taken into custody without charges by getting rid of habeus corpus. Combatants in Guantanemo don't seem to have any rights and they are being held by a Democratic government. Where is the outrage for them? The Iraqi people are suffering the indignity of having their home land occupied by a foreign aggressor, the US of A. As I said below the Palestinians are suffering everyday at the hands of the Israelis in Nazi Germany style prison's and anyone who says anything against Israel is either blacklisted or called an anti semite. Our tax dollars are paying for Iraq occupation and for Israel to treat the Palestinians like dogs. Please let us not be hypocrites and let us look at our own human rights violations before we judge others.

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11:05 PM MST on Wed., Apr. 9, 2008 re: "Olympic torchbearers don�t seem fazed by protest threat"

Examiner Reader said:
Communist is the problem! Not Olympic or China. People are protesting against the Communist government that treats people like "animals", with cruelty and no rights. All people need human rights! It's not political, and it's the basic right to live like a human with dignity. Please ask yourself this, "What is my moral standard?" Was it fine for Nazi Germany to host the Olympic? Is it fine for the Communist China to host the Olympic? The action of boycotting is just a way to show we care about human rights. It's a civilized and non-violent way of showing we do not like the Communist China, on one hand, it hosts the Olympic, and the other hand, it is killing innocent people like Tibetans and Falun Gong Practitioners in their own backyard. History has repeated itself again this time. Please make your right decision while you still can.

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5:13 PM MST on Wed., Apr. 9, 2008 re: "Tension thick before Olympic torch relay"

Examiner Reader said:
sanctions are needed against china......do not let any china imports into the united states, they dont care about human life, or human rights. seems to me a dog pound with dogs have more rights than these chinese monsters who have no kind of value on life. I will never buty anything that is made in china, because of their hatred, and abuse towards people. these are not humans , but murders and idiots.

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4:08 PM MST on Wed., Apr. 9, 2008 re: "Tension thick before Olympic torch relay"

Examiner Reader said:
The Examiner is really behind in covering this story. It's 3pm in SF, and the current story is 12 hours old. The route was changed, snubbing both supporters and protesters. What a travesty!

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1:49 PM MST on Wed., Apr. 9, 2008 re: "Olympic torch China-protest resolution reduced to ashes"

brunhilda said:
hear that S.F.? Peter Ustinov, Uebberoth? (whatever, some billionaire) says the whole world will be watching. Yes, Mr. Ustinuberroth, we know that. Now get saggy arse the hell out of the way so we can make good use of the attention!

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1:34 PM MST on Wed., Apr. 9, 2008 re: "Olympic torch China-protest resolution reduced to ashes"

Brunhilda said:
The Olympics have never been about bringing different cultures together. Those who say otherwise are either lying or obscenely obtuse. The Olympics are a very nationalism inducing platform for cultures to compete --against-- each other, like a mini-war. The Olympics have long since been sullied by murder, commercialism, cheating, stealing, terrorism etc. This protest against China's hideous policies is the first truly "unite, rather than divide" moment in Olympics history. Sock it to 'em, Dolly Lama!

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9:42 AM MST on Wed., Apr. 9, 2008 re: "Olympic torch China-protest resolution reduced to ashes"

Examiner Reader said:
The truth is that China is using the Olympic Games and innocent athletes to validate it�s human rights violations in Tibet and elsewhere. I applaud those who stand against China�s human rights abuses and find dismay in those who use the Olympic Games as an excuse to turn a blind eye toward China�s abuses. Look what happened when German citizens turned a blind eye toward the concentration camps of World War II.

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10:36 PM MST on Tue., Apr. 8, 2008 re: "Torch route still subject to change"

Examiner Reader said:
What happened in Paris and those who use violence to send their message and snuff out the torch's flame is a disgrace and I feel sends the wrong message to the athletes we honor like Wilma Rudolph, Dorothy Hamill, Mark Spitz, Greg Louganis. I always viewed the Olympics as a higher form than any one individual country because it acts to unite, rather than divide. Hopefully protesters can see this and focus their energy on the countries or reps itself (China, Bush Admin). How disappointing and dishonorable it would be if SF followed the footsteps of those who cause misguided and unnecessary turmoil in Greece, Paris, and London.

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1:15 PM MST on Tue., Apr. 8, 2008 re: "Marina district added to route Olympic torch will take in City"

James C said:
I embrace the opportunity of allowing the Olympic flame to ignite people's desire to bring about possible improvements for the inustice and brutality that China's minorities, Tibetans included, have endured. This does not douse the spirit of the joyful celebration of competitions and glories that the Olympic flame is meant to bring. It gives us a timely re-examination of our conscience in light of the human grievances that China imposed on the Tibetans in this case. This is an added value of the Olympic flame. Thank you, the IOC executives for approving the 2008 Summer Olympic site at Beijing and thank the Beijing Olympic Organizing Committee for planning the longest Olympic Torch relay in Olympics history.

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12:07 PM MST on Tue., Apr. 8, 2008 re: "Olympic torch China-protest resolution reduced to ashes"

Travis said:
The Olympics in China is a political platform because China said in their bid for the Olympics that they would improve in areas of human rights and free speech. They have, if anything, become less free of a country since given the 2008 Olympics. Since Tibet is one of the location were China Is failing most abysmally on it promises to the Olympic comity, it make an Ideal platform to show why China should not have been given the 2008 Olympics.

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9:33 AM MST on Tue., Apr. 8, 2008 re: "Torch route still subject to change"

WDenton said:
Certainly the USA always speaks out for democracy. So much so that we must shove democracy down your throat even if you don't want it. Only when it is convenient to America though do they support democracies in other countries. Look at Palestine for example. They voted in democratic elections to put Hamas into power and America rejected their democracy. All American citizens, by proxy are supporting the human rights abuses of Palestinians every day by providing billions of dollars per year for Israel. Let us look at our own issues before we decide to judge another.

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11:47 AM MST on Mon., Apr. 7, 2008 re: "Olympic torch China-protest resolution reduced to ashes"

Examiner Reader said:
I'm not a big fan of China. That being said, why take out your problems on the Olympics, or on the Parisian police force?

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11:29 AM MST on Mon., Apr. 7, 2008 re: "Olympic torch China-protest resolution reduced to ashes"

Examiner Reader said:
Its not just Tibet; they jail gay activists, they jail people just for wearing the Tibetian flag. China has a long history of human rights violation. Isn't it funny when the USA does something right away the Bay Area is ready to Hang the USA and scream how the USA is violating human rights! I support the protesters 150 percent! The USA is always speaking out for democracy isn't that why we are fighting the immoral war in Iraq?

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10:13 AM MST on Mon., Apr. 7, 2008 re: "Olympic torch China-protest resolution reduced to ashes"

Examiner Reader said:
I am sadden by this. What have China done to the rest of the World, why do they show such hature towards China. It is a country that have gone through devastation of wars, humiliations, and poverty..., when finally, Chinese people can rise up through their own hard work (becoming more successful through economy), and recieving the honor of hosting the Olympic game of 2008, and yet have to face the challenge of protesting against. Yes, China is a communist country. But, it is their own affair on how do they want to run their own country, as for the human rights issue, how much does people know of Tibet's situation before it became part of the People's Republic of China. Did they know that, Tibet was a slavary driven place before the communist party took over? Did they know the slave owners were lead by Dali lama, and they used to use slaves head skin to make lanterns... Maybe, some resesarch and lessons should be learned, before we force our own opinions on the others.

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3:13 PM MST on Fri., Apr. 4, 2008 re: "Hot torch topic won�t burn officials"

Seven said:
Chris Daly's legislation gets him front page media attention, but when it's examined closesly, does absolutely nothing? Daly must be laughing all week long, Meanwhile his adoring constituents are bummed merely because term limits will prevent them from reelecting Daly yet again.

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1:54 PM MST on Fri., Apr. 4, 2008 re: "Hot torch topic won�t burn officials"

Examiner Reader said:
I was in "alarm and protest" when chris Daly was re-elected to D6.

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12:35 AM MST on Fri., Apr. 4, 2008 re: "Olympic torchbearers don�t seem fazed by protest threat"

Examiner Reader said:
Katie Gosling is a great girl I hope she has a great time

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5:13 PM MST on Wed., Apr. 2, 2008 re: "Olympic flame to follow waterfront route"

Examiner Reader said:
Well yes of course Daly would be front and center. I mean really, how better a way to make sure his beautiful face is exposed to the national media. Now if he would just do the same for his District 6 and support efforts to deal with the out of control crime problem. My gosh, how many people have been killed year to date here? It is really not a safe area, the whole of District 6 not just some parts. Please help.

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7:49 PM MST on Tue., Apr. 1, 2008 re: "Marina district added to route Olympic torch will take in City"

Examiner Reader said:
the Olympics is to unite people. It is a catalyst for change and not a panacea for all ills--those of China. the US and particularly the hippocrites in the City Hall of San Francisco. Chris Daly should be recalled, sent to jail and hanged. He is the running dog of super sanctimonus bully Nancy Pelosi. He has agenda to get this passed, so that he could rise up on the Democratic machine in San Franncisco. What a hippocrit

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5:27 PM MST on Tue., Apr. 1, 2008 re: "Marina district added to route Olympic torch will take in City"

Examiner Reader said:
As the only US city hosting the torch, SF should truly represent the US: publicize the route, don't be afraid of information. Encourage people to come out to celebrate the Olympic games and cheer on the stellar athletes. Allow peaceful protests. Protesters, while demonstrating, do everything possible to also demonstrate that protesting does not per se lead to chaos and violence, and in a civil society can be welcomed rather than repressed.

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6:35 AM MST on Tue., Apr. 1, 2008 re: "�Alarm and protest� resolution for Olympic torch rekindled"

Examiner Reader said:
I'm all for civility to all people, but of all things to protest about, I don't get why protests shouldn't be more focused on our dirty oil war in Iraq that actually has killed 4,000 American lives, tragically some from the Bay Area. Seems Supe Chris Daly (possibly other Supes) should be more focused on District 6 issues like cleaner streets, finding solutions to the homeless to find shelter and get them services to get their lives together and to untimately become contributing members of society. It would be nice to walk on a sidewalk (and feel safe) without hopscotching over the homeless who have passed out due to their substance issues and who leave a mess when they occupy certain areas and then have to clean up after them. It would be nice...

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4:55 PM MST on Thu., Mar. 27, 2008 re: "�Alarm and protest� resolution for Olympic torch rekindled"

Examiner Reader said:
why chris daly and other ppl care so much about the monk Dalai Lama and tibet? they don't have anything to do? they should spend more time going to sunnydale or bayview projects to see what ppl in san francisco really need. u know u are not doing anything in your district 6, but 'free' tibet is not going to make u a better Supervisor.

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2:20 PM MST on Wed., Mar. 26, 2008 re: "�Alarm and protest� resolution for Olympic torch rekindled"

Examiner Reader said:
Maybe Daly can combine this resolution together with the Blue Angels resolution of last summer and have the Angels "extinguish" the touch?? Just kidding

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8:26 PM MST on Tue., Mar. 25, 2008 re: "Olympic torch China-protest resolution reduced to ashes"

Examiner Reader said:
We applaude Nancy Pelosi; we applaude Chris Daly for their support of his H.H. The Dalai Lama and the plight of the Tibetan people from the tyranny of the Chinese government. Heads down for all those who fail to recognize that San Francisco is a leader and defender of human rights. I hope the Mayor comes to his senses and allows a peaceful protest to take place; this is after all the place and our legacy demands it. Down all those who twist the truth about Tibet!

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