After I saw the sign saying I was heading towards the Bay Bridge off of 280, I started to get excited. I was about to be part of a protest, AND I was about to see an Olympic torch.
Needless to say, as a resident of Pittsburgh, PA until two years ago, I am not used to being able to hop in my car, drive for 45 minutes and then witness historical events. So, I was pumped.
I didn’t hit much traffic on the way to the city, contrary to what I had expected. After I illegally parked my car, Paly senior Christy Campbell and I started our two-block walk to the Embarcadero.
Right as we started to see mobs of ‘Free Tibet’ posters blocking our view of the Bay, my phone rang and I picked up to hear my mother’s voice warning me of the dangers of the protests I was about to walk into.
I assured her they all looked friendly and nice as I proceeded to excitedly scan the masses for my first interviewee.
I was overwhelmed by the vibrant colors and the loud chants, “stop the killing, free Tibet!”. Everywhere I looked, a different face was carrying a symbolic flag or an allusive sign.
The first man I talked to, Namgyal Wangan is Tibetan born but escaped to India with his family when he was young and currently lives in Orange County. He said it was important for him to bring his family to San Francisco in order to protest on behalf of his people.
“I’m very concerned about human rights violations in Tibet,” said Wangan. “We support the Olympics but we will not support human rights violations.”
Wangan and his family hope that the mass number of people who showed up to boycott the Olympics will influence the United States government to do something about the treatment of Tibetan citizens.
After talking to Tibet and Darfur protesters, I crossed the street to join the Olympic supporters on the Bay side of the Embarcadero.
As I searched the crowd filled with vibrant red-colored Chinese lettering, and big balloon-like cartoons, I found a family from the Bay who was supporting Olympic torch runner #14, Lorrie Coppoal, who suffers from ALS syndrome and is no longer able to speak because of this disease. She is part of a Bay Area group which supports disabled children by keeping them actively involved in sports.
Mort Lansburnd, Lorrie’s uncle, excitedly told me details about his niece’s involvement in the torch carrying.
“We’re so excited to see her run,” Lansburnd said. “We support the Olympics no matter where they are.”
The day ended in disappoint for Landsburnd because of San Francisco’s decision to secretly change the route the Olympic torch took through the city.
After talking to Landsburnd, I spent the rest of my day in my car frantically trying to find the Olympic torch.
My mother originally told me that news stations were reporting the torch traveling down Van Ness Ave towards Bay street, so I got in my car and was surprised to see Van Ness completely free of road blocks. I took Van Ness all the way to Beach Street where I spotted the NBC channel 11 news van.
After speaking to one of the NBC reporters, I jumped into my car and rushed down Bay street to the Marina district hoping to catch a glimpse of the torch.
However, I soon discovered Bay Street to be backed up with traffic, and choose to park my car and continue my journey by foot.
About one mile from the Golden Gate Bridge, I found myself unable to precede in following the torch due to a line of 20-30 police officers stopping any traffic or pedestrians from traveling closer. There were protesters lined up on the grassy area to my left with signs taunting the police with their cheers about freedom in Tibet, and a stop to the Chinese regime.
After being yelled at by a particularly irritable police woman, and taking pictures of various Tibetan supporters I realized that it was highly unlikely that I would find a way around the barricade of police. Captivated yet disappointed, I realized it was time to head home.
I will always regret my inability to see the Olympic torch, but my day was spent with the most fascinating people I have ever met. I respect and am always pleased to met people who are willing to stand up for what they believe in, even if it is contrary to popular opinion.
I do not choose to side with the Tibetan and Darfur supports, or the citizens who support the Olympics and those in it regardless of where it is held. I believe the mistake was made by politicians many years ago to allow China to host the Olympics. Now the international community is unintentionally supporting the mistreatment of human rights by Chinese officials. However, I do support every torch carrier, every parent, every friend, and most importantly every Olympian in the 2008 Olympics.
I wish every athlete good luck, and it is my hope that the Tibetan protester’s messages are able to influence an international power to step forth and stop the violence in Tibet and Darfur.