2008 San Francisco Olympic Torch Relay Photo Gallery by Bill Taylor at pbase.com

2008 San Francisco Olympic Torch Relay

See other shots from this event by:
HERVE BLANDIN

The Olympic torch played hide and seek with thousands of demonstrators and spectators crowding the city's waterfront Wednesday before being spirited away without even a formal goodbye on its symbolic stop in the United States.

After its parade was rerouted and shortened to prevent disruptions by massive crowds of anti-China protesters, the planned closing ceremony at the waterfront was canceled and moved to San Francisco International Airport. The flame was put directly on a plane and was not displayed.

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Chet King	PM reply	14-Aug-2011 16:56
Excellent gallery, well done!~V

John Amato	PM reply	22-Apr-2008 17:21
With the importance of what these images can convey of events that unfolding around the world, I am surprised that more people have not voted so at least more can see the interaction of this demonstration for and against the olympic torch. These are important times.

Elain		21-Apr-2008 04:28
Hi Bill, so nice to know u'll photograph the Cherry Blossom parade in San Francisco. I'm just so so, but u can easily find some pretty & stylish women while you walking on the street in downtown area here in Shanghai. So sorry to make your gallery become a "debating area",hope u won't care :) !

Elain		21-Apr-2008 03:59
Actually I've chat with my friend in Europe last week. (He's 100% european, not a Chinese at all) His suggestion is, everybody gonna listen to the voice from different sides. I just want to show u one point: China is still a developing country.I agree with John that Shanghai can't represent the whole China. Chinese government is still young, less than 50 years old, for sure not that mature. China is a huge country with huge population. China is not perfect coz u cannot find a perfect country all over the world.

Guest	PM reply	20-Apr-2008 14:58
What you have observed is not unique to Chinese: people (at least some) _are_ aware of the problem of their government (actually, it's not just the government, sometimes it's the habit or 'culture' of several generations). They just don't feel the situation is as bad as some people (especially the people outside China) want them to believe. They certainly feel insulted when their "Olympic Dream" - viewed by most as non-political - receives no respect, all after all the money, time and energy spent by them. Most people living in China were not aware of the anti-China (or pro-freedom/demacrocy from western POV) atmosphere in the west, so they were shocked when they saw the Olympic touch being attacked and their national flag/runners/supporters being insulted. Do you honestly expect the Chinese sit back and think "relax, they're only targeting at our government, not us, and it's a good thing" ? Even worse, the western picked the platform they're least familiar with: Tibet. Or they think they know two things, that the sacred place has been occupied by the communists and the Dalai Lama is the most peaceful living monk/God. When you throw words like 'God', 'Religion', 'Freedom', 'Peace' and 'Communist' at it, the world suddenly becomes black and white: who cares about the reality anymore? Let's Free Tibet - that's Free with a capital F, so that must be right and justice must be done! Meanwhile, at this side of the world, the Chinese are thinking, WTF? We "liberated" Tibet, from its backward, dark and brutal social system, and after all the money, energy and even lives spent in improving Tibet/Lasa's living standard and preserving its unique culture, you're telling me to 'Free' Tibet? Who do you think you are? If it's not obvious: there's no place for separatism in Chinese people heart - again, not unique to Chinese. Let's not kid ourselves: even though Chinese people are enjoying much more freedom in their _personal life_ compared to 20 years ago, there's still very limited political freedom: it is still a one-party ruled country, that party and its government has too much power and too less check-and-balance. However that does not mean everything they do is wrong and everything they say is a lie - on the contrary, they have gained many people's support for the things they've done right from time to time. What happened during the Olympics Torch Relay can only united Chinese, and unfortunately the intended message of Freedom and Democracy are lost - but don't blame the Chinese people, blame the messengers: they picked the wrong time with the wrong platform, and some delivered wrong message. Lastly, why attacking CNN? Judge for yourself: http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/04/15/cnn.china/

Tomasz Chojnacki	PM reply	20-Apr-2008 11:13
very good documentary.

Herve Blandin	PM reply	19-Apr-2008 17:51
So much naivety, ignorance, intolerance from both sides (I mean out there, not here). I understand that chinese feel strongly for the motherland, which is laudable, but why does that equate with kow-towing to the rulers of that country. Sheer force of habit? Cowardice? Indifference? Just shout up, Daddy knows best? When a government restricts access to the internet, censors images on TV, why arent' chinese encensed by that, rather than attacking CNN? Why all support to China's position on Tibet comes from countries who rarely allow democratic elections or opposants a real voice (Russia, Sudan and african countries, Middle East, etc...). Elain, do you think that your government rules nice and kindly because people around you are nice and kindly? If so, why is there a junta in Burma, one of the nicest people on earth? Questions, questions, questions..

John Amato	PM reply	18-Apr-2008 18:05
The major cities are very different from most of China. I lived in Hunan Province, which was like most areas in China in that they do not have the "modern" facilities that the major cities have and that most people that come to China see. I traveled in many parts of China that had very backward hospitals, open pits for toilets but people that would often welcome you. In remote villages that we took aid to we were greeted warmly and given food for a few RMB. Both the US and China need to increase awareness and fair treatment of people but the view that China is the big cities is wrong. There are 800 million people that live in the country that need far superior services to what they are receiving. Until people see the "real" China and that includes people raised in China, as with a close friend who was born in China but until I had met him had never really seen the remote areas, needs to see more than the big cities and needs to know what is really going on. Everywhere I went raw coal was being burned for heat and cooking as well as tires. Pollution is out of control and this will greatly impact the health and well being of the Chinese and the world.

John Amato	PM reply	18-Apr-2008 16:26
Yes Elain, I would agree. It is like many people in the US. Our government often does not represent our feelings. All I want is peace and equality for humans and for the earth. I met people in China that had been raised there and had never traveled but could see "through" their government and the policies and only wanted fairness and freedom of speech. I also met people in China that felt it was their right to treat minority people as second class citizens, as with the woman in Tibet beating a Tibetan man because tickets had run out for the Summer Palace in Lhasa and nothing was done to her (this type of action by the majority people in China was all too common). I was often told (I worked at a university in Hunan Province) that if the government did not tell them something they "did not need to know it" and that the government would not lie to them.

Elain		18-Apr-2008 05:42
Hey Bill, forget to tell u one thing, I vote for your gallery surely!! I also forward your link to most of my friends, they mainly based on Australia, USA and China. Not bad to let prople know what's going on and show us their oppion & angle freely.I cannot represent all Chinese people for sure, just wanna telling all of u guys we do enjoy our life and wanna share our happiness with u all. If u come to Shanghai, u will see how mordern it is! Full of skyscrapers and well organized. Lots of westerners choose to live in this city as citizen...

Elain from China		18-Apr-2008 05:22
Hi Bill, thanks for your kindness reply. I try to send u the E-mail for several times. But it says "mail failure delivery",(Jesus!) Hey John, as a local citizen here in Shanghai, I have to say, I'm not gonna talking abou t the government at all. I'm talking about the nice local Chinese people. I travel a lot these several years in Australia, Canada, Mexico, Germany, Holland, India, Malysia, and surely different part of Mainland China(though I'm a bit young,huh). I also make friends with some people from middle east Asia, like Iraq and Iran.I got so many nice friends and relatives who live in US as well.I have to say, normally 70% of local people I met are very nice. They just need peaceful life. And we have to repect their religious and culture. If you do chat with local people in Tibet, if they can speak English, I'm pretty sure they are not "local" at all...

John Amato	PM reply	17-Apr-2008 18:35
I have lived in China and have worked in Tibet. I have no misunderstanding of what is going on in China or what is happening to many people of Tibet. I spoke to monks and anis (nuns) who very clear on how they were treated and the lack of any true freedom. This was also conveyed by the people of Tibet. Wealth? What is wealth without soul. I vote for this gallery. At least there is freedom to express unlike when I lived in China.

Elain From China		17-Apr-2008 05:20
I agree with Ramil as a 24 year old Chinese girl who've been travel above 8 countries right now.We local Chinese people respect Tibetans since we've been live together in this countries for above thousands of years.I'm pretty sure all Chinese people(for sure including Tibetans)will get richer in the near future if we hand in hand to develop our nice country. Nothing political, just according to my personal experience, most of my foreign friends got mis-understanding upon China before they visit China. 2008 Beijing olympic game's such a nice opportunity to show all of you guys how we live and enjoy of our life. And how we love this peaceful world and welcome our guests no matter where're u from. Welcome to China, and Welcome for your feedback! helensvale11@hotmail.com

Ramil from Russia		16-Apr-2008 07:58
I think, that people should not deny these Olimpic Games. Tibet is an internal business of China. China should hold Tibet tight as it's own part.

Susanne v. Schroeder	PM reply	15-Apr-2008 11:32
Great documentary, thanks for sharing.

Marcos Garc�a	PM reply	14-Apr-2008 18:55
great document Bill! V

James Giovanni Pan	PM reply	14-Apr-2008 16:30
Great storytelling and photos.

xavier creach	PM reply	14-Apr-2008 12:31
Great reportage. The pictures are very lively. Looking at my profile page, you will understand that it is a subject I am concerned about. V

Kaden Kratzer	PM reply	14-Apr-2008 03:31
Nice visual record Bill. You came to SF. :) V

Jaime Serrano	PM reply	13-Apr-2008 20:52
Great Documentary!!!. Thanks. V.

Patricia Lay-Dorsey	PM reply	13-Apr-2008 15:17
Excellent photo-documentary! Thank you for taking us there. Your photos are works of art!

Richard Calmes	PM reply	13-Apr-2008 12:00
Great journalism and reportage! Many excellent images! V

Ralph		12-Apr-2008 21:53
really nice pic's and good range

Dave Hodges	PM reply	11-Apr-2008 22:37
Really nice work Bill! I was there too but missed alot of what you got!

Steve Viscot	PM reply	11-Apr-2008 18:15
great duality in this series -v FREE TIBET!!!!

Herve Blandin	PM reply	11-Apr-2008 17:45
I had no idea you went. Maybe I should work up a gallery too, these were 2 exciting days, qith quite an anti-climax in the end. Torch? What torch? ;-)

Eldar Kadymov	PM reply	11-Apr-2008 17:05
man, what a great documentary, superbly executed ! V What these all fellas are protesting against anyways ?!

Raul Panelo	PM reply	11-Apr-2008 13:29
Great shots Bill! You captured the range of emotions from the celebration to the protests. I was there but just got a few minutes off work so didn't get the variety of pics as you did :(

Cedric Sims	PM reply	11-Apr-2008 01:14
Bill nice work capturing the parade and spectators, nice colors. The 18- 200 works good with the D300.

Jean-Michel Peers	PM reply	10-Apr-2008 20:38
Very expressive photographer's view of that incredible event. All shots contributr to a great gallery! V

LynnH	PM reply	10-Apr-2008 20:19
Really nice topical gallery here. Your shots show the wide range of emotions and controversy related to the Torch's passing. The images are crisp and colorful. Vote.

Jean-Gregoire Marin	PM reply	10-Apr-2008 20:17
Excellent juxtaposition of supporters and opponents in some pics !!! (GMV)

Pete Smith AIPF	PM reply	10-Apr-2008 20:14
Great gallery. V.

Dan the man	PM reply	10-Apr-2008 19:16
Great coverage! Great picture...Bravo!!

Roland	PM reply	10-Apr-2008 16:54
Interesting variety of a controversial issue. Well done.

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