Live Blogging: SF Torch Drama
The Olympic torch is set to make its way through San Francisco today. We will keep you posted with live updates on the torch, the route, and the protests.
3:47 p.m.
NBC’s Raj Mathai said at 1:30 when all the choppers followed a van and thought the torch was in a van, it really wasn’t. It was a diversion, and the torch was actually on a boat. Apparently the SFPD and all the police are working in concert with the Chinese government.
3:42 p.m.
The torch just took a turn to a small street, and is not heading toward the Golden Gate Bridge according to the NBC in San Francisco. The traffic reporter from NBC SF says they are heading toward 19th avenue which is toward a park.
3:37 p.m.
The torch has come to a halt for the last few minutes. NBC reporters think they are thinking of a contingency plan as to where to go next. There are mixed feelings about how the torch run is being handled. There are supporters and protesters all over the place. Seemingly evreyone is trying to find the torch.
3:34 p.m.
The Spokerperson for the Golden Gate Bridge, Mary, says they are closing the sidewalks for the Bridge because they are not sure what the next move is. She has not been informed of what is to happen next.
3:29 p.m.
NBC San Francisco’s Raj Mathai is on the bus which is in front of the torch. The bus has stopped for about five minutes, and is about to take a u-turn. Mathai said they were about to get on the ramp for the Golden Gate Bridge, but are now heading back into possibly a different direction. Former Mayor Willie Brown says everything is going as planned.
3:22 p.m.
People have started to leave the Justin Herman plaza. According an NBC reporter the Chinese consulate told people they can go home because the torch will not be coming to Justin Herman. The organizers want to keep this safe, and with so many people they felt it may be unsafe.
3:19 p.m.
NBA commissioner David Stern is sitting with Raj Mathai in the bus in front of the torch. Former Mayor Willy Brown is running the torch right now. Raj Mathai is speaking at the closing ceremony, but he says it will be very simple, almost as simple as saying thank you for coming out.
3:17 p.m.
While the torch is being run through the Marina, Diane Dwyer is at the Justin Herman plaza and said there are traditional Chinese dances going on. The crowd is massive and she think it will be tough for everything to be organized if they take the torch there. Raj Mathai of NBC said it was a surreal feeling running the torch. Now the torch is heading up Doyle towards the Golden Gate Bridge. The crowd is slowly catching up to the torch. This just in, the closing ceremony will not be held at the Justin Herman plaza.
3:12 p.m.
An NBC reporter in San Francisco admitted to leaving her “live van” so her and the cameraman could run and get a shot of the torch. Two students who got out of class early also gave an interview who are excited that they saw the torch.
3:08 p.m.
The torch is near the Palace of Fine Arts. NBC San Francisco says its one of the most beautiful sites. They say the crowd is building, and the amount of Chinese supporters have increased as well. Raj Mathai passed on the torch and might comment on his experience within the hour.
3:05 p.m.
There are 77 torch runners and torch bearers in total. NBC San Francisco’s Raj Mathai is holding the torch right now along with the oldest torch bearer this year (75-years-old).
3:00 p.m.
NBC San Francisco’s Jodi Hernandez has been there all morning and asked the police their where it was headed. They said “anything can happen”. Nothing is pre-set, the police don’t set up ahead of time, so they don’t raise suspicion. Right before the torch makes it next move, the police get there about a minute before.
2:55 p.m.
NBC San Francisco’s reporter says there are too many people at Justin Herman plaza. The people are friendly and they’re having a good time. She says they’re getting along even though there are pro-Olympic and Chinese people there. Although everyone is friendly, and they get along, she thinks its a bad idea to bring the Torch there.
2:50 p.m.
The torch was just handed off to another set of Torch bearers. Everyone is trying to get their message across loud and clear, but in a peaceful manner. The protesters either know where the torch is headed, or they manage to find their way back on track. Everywhere the torch goes, there are a set of protesters.
2:44 p.m.
The mood is positive at Justin-Herman plaza. Its almost like a party. There is still the possibility of not having a closing ceremony. The number one concern for the mayor is the public’s safety. Having a large gathering with the torch may lead to violence which is what they are trying to avoid. There is no confirmation of anything at this point. Everything can change from moment to moment. They are now taking a right onto Del Marina, and the crowd seems to be getting bigger and bigger.
2:38 p.m.
The route has changed from 6 miles to 3 miles…The new set of runners are now going West. Everyone is heading toward the Marina Green, after taking a right on Laguna. There are a set of about 20 runners that they are still waiting for.
2:33 p.m.
The number of protesters and demonstrators are increasing. The handoff just took place and now Robert McDaniels is holding the torch. The goal for the police is to simply clear the road, as opposed to arresting the protesters. There have been anti-China protesters throughout the day. It seems that the relay will end at the Justin-Herman plaza.
2:31 p.m.
Hundreds of students have lined the side-walk from “Galileo High School” as they watch the torch pass by. There are a few protesters with flags (Tibetan). The police attempt to clear the road as the Torch just turned onto Bay street.
2:21 p.m.
We are down right now due to tenichical problems. We will return ASAP, however, you can continue to follow the “Torch Drama” on http://www.nbc11.com/videostream/11441536/detail.html
1:24 p.m.
So the torch is making its way though the route. Torch relayers are taking the flame through the path that officals cut short because of protesters. People caring the torch are surrounded by tight security and it is making its way to Justin Herman Plaza.
It seems that the protesters have increased and the pro-China members of the corwd are intermixed with the other groups.
11:28 a.m.
Performers are waiting at the end of the torch relay route, Justin Herman Plaza. There seems to be no protesters there right now…
For live streaming video of the protesters and news from the bay area check out KNTV.com’s coverage of the protests.
11:09 a.m.
As protesters continue to gather along the torch route waiting for the olympic flame to pass through S.F. here are some blogs we found talking about the protest.
10:40 a.m.
More protesters are gathering in the Embarcadero Area Both Chinese and Tibetan supporters are in the area. One Tibetan protester has been arrested it is unclear the reason for the arrest. Police are standing by incase the protests become more intense.
10:30 a.m.
As the Olympic torch is set to travel through San Francisco today, protesters are gathering across the city. Tibetan monks marched across the golden gate bridge.
There were a number of aerial banners saying ” San Francisco Supports Tibet.”
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