China asks Olympic torch’s route to be shortened

In an effort to prevent the Olympic torch relay, which will be telecast all over the world, from becoming an embarrassing spectacle, the Chinese government has asked the city to shrink the relay route from eight miles to six miles.

“There is no shortage of outraged groups planning to raise a ruckus at the April 9 event because of China’s terrible human rights record, its incessant bullying of its weaker neighbours and the country’s steadfast support of the brutal Sudanese regime responsible for the genocide in Darfur,” the Contra Costa newspaper said in an editorial on Thursday.

Meanwhile, San Francisco Supervisor Tom Ammiano introduced a resolution Tuesday calling on the city Mayor Gavin Newsom and the Police Department to immediately release details of the route.

Ammianos request follows unsuccessful attempts by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Tibet independence proponents to secure route locations.

The resolution states that there is a strong public interest in both the proposed route and plans to facilitate or to curtail the demonstrations or protests.

The proposed legislation has stated that the City must treat those who wish to express support for the Olympics in China equally to those opposing it.

Supporting the call for the public disclosure of the relay plan, the Contra Costa Times has said that “don’t get us wrong.”

“San Francisco city officials should do everything possible to prevent protesters from disrupting the event. The police should be highly visible and strategically deployed,” it said.

The recent arson attack against the Chinese consulate is a sober reminder that not all protesters are peaceful. But in no way should the city abet China in its cynical public relations campaign by seeking to limit legitimate, peaceful protest, it added.

The Contra Costa Times has also said that the American Civil Liberties Union is right to challenge the city officials’ refusal to let the public know the exact route, or even what time the torch run begins.

Equally ridiculous are the city’s efforts to establish so-called “free speech zones” for protesters. Someone ought to remind Mayor Gavin Newsom and the City Council that we do not live in China.

A mayor’s office spokeswoman said that the route plan is still in development.