Supervisor calls for release
of Olympic torch route documents
“There is strong public interest”

Supervisor Tom Ammiano introduced a resolution today
calling for the release of information related to the Olympic torch route in San Francisco.
File photo by Luke Thomas

By Ari Burack

March 25, 2008

A San Francisco supervisor today joined a growing chorus of civil rights supporters calling for the release of information related to April’s Olympic torch route in San Francisco.

Supports of Tibetan independence from China continued to rally outside City Hall this afternoon as Supervisor Tom Ammiano introduced a resolution that would allow the public access to information about the April 9 route through San Francisco, the 2008 Beijing Olympic torch’s only appearance in North America.

Protestors call for Mayor Gavin Newsom to “reject China’s bloody torch.”

Protests in San Francisco began after recent large-scale demonstrations by Tibetans prompted a crackdown by Chinese authorities in the region.

The Olympic torch lighting ceremony in Greece has already been disrupted by protestors, and the passing of the torch through San Francisco could bring vigorous opposition by those wanting to call attention to China’s civil rights record.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California recently filed a request under the city’s Sunshine Ordinance for the mayor’s office and police to release records pertaining to the torch run.

Ammiano’s proposed resolution states “there is strong public interest” in both the proposed route and “plans to facilitate and/or curtail the demonstrations or protests.”

Said Ammiano, “This (resolution) is really in support of the ACLU’s concern about the lack of transparency” of the route the torch will take and plans to manage possible demonstrations along the way.

“I think we deserve to know that,” he said.

“The City must treat those who wish to express support for the Olympics in China equally to those opposing it,” the proposed legislation states.

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

FCJ Editor

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