What has gone wrong with the Olympic torch parade this time? May be there are feasible reasons for the eruption of protests but the magnitude, I must confirm, was beyond imagination. Truly speaking the suppression of Tibet has for long been a troublesome and contentious subject in the international arena, it has also attracted the attention of the votaries of human rights. The recent bid of China to suppress the remonstrations of the region is highly disgraceful but the protests started thereafter have also exceeded the conventional approaches. The best specimen of this chaotic scene has been London where more than 25 protesters were arrested within the two hours of tour of the Olympic torch for dissenting. The entire parade was brought to a temporary halt five times in its first few miles as anti-China protesters made repeated attempts to breach security, including one man who tried to extinguish the flame with a fire extinguisher. But the security agency kept no stone unturned to frustrate the attempts. However, the administrative machinery was jubilant over the parade of the Olympic torch. Prime Minister Gordon Brown welcomed the torch at Downing Street, where at 1pm he posed for photographed alongside the torch - by which time 25 protesters had been taken into custody.
Who were the protesters? It is true that vast crowds of peaceful pro-Tibet protesters – calling for independence from China –lined the streets, chanting "Free Tibet" and booing the torch bearers. But they were not alone, since Tibetans in London are hopeless minority groups with any such effect on the national scene. They were supported by different N.G.O.s and the self-claimed custodians of Human Rights, vindicated also by several ultra-anarchist and cultural groups. Or else how can one justify the incident at Trafalgar Square? As soon as Sir Trevor Macdonald held the torch aloft, large groups of protesters clashed with police in the most violent ways. The lead is clear, the coming days are not going to be fitting for China and also the international fraternity.
Who were the protesters? It is true that vast crowds of peaceful pro-Tibet protesters – calling for independence from China –lined the streets, chanting "Free Tibet" and booing the torch bearers. But they were not alone, since Tibetans in London are hopeless minority groups with any such effect on the national scene. They were supported by different N.G.O.s and the self-claimed custodians of Human Rights, vindicated also by several ultra-anarchist and cultural groups. Or else how can one justify the incident at Trafalgar Square? As soon as Sir Trevor Macdonald held the torch aloft, large groups of protesters clashed with police in the most violent ways. The lead is clear, the coming days are not going to be fitting for China and also the international fraternity.
- Other Protests articles
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