Wednesday, April 9, 2008

San Fran demonstrators gather before torch relay


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SAN FRANCISCO - Demonstrators amassed on the city's waterfront Wednesday before the start of the Olympic torch's only stop in North America, and law enforcement officers attempted to prevent a reprise of the chaotic demonstrations that have followed the flame along its journey to Beijing.

The torch's 85,000-mile, 20-nation global journey is the longest in Olympic history, and is meant to build excitement for the games. But it has also been a target for activists angered over China's human rights record, prompting officials to warn they might make a last-minute change to the relay route.

Thousands of people had gathered along the relay route, which hugs the San Francisco Bay. Pro-Tibet and pro-China groups were given side-by-side permits to demonstrate, and there already were signs of tension.

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