Leung, every action has an equal BUT opposite reaction. China invades a country and uses military force as an alibi for government, it is only natural for people to oppose this and react. If you walked in with flower then they would react with flowers but it seems violence is the only language you understand.

Lars, London,

It's UK currently where Torch replay faced protest from the Tibetan supprorters ... More to see in the coming days ...
China, instead of holding Olympics with smile and happiness on it's face, will now be under pressure to hold the event smoothly. It will be a memorial one for the whole world and specially for China for years to come.

Vitthal, Mumbai, India

You can imagine if the pro-Tibet protestors armed with axes & hunting knifives & set fires against shops which burnt innocents alive to death in central London, as what they did in Tibet last month.

Please be objective when the western media are reporting. The media can have their own standings (biased or less biased), but they should not distort the facts about the violent riots in Tibet and then mislead the readers.

Leung, Hong Kong, China

Since when that everyone participating in Olympics has to take a political stands? Head of states and politicians equally want to share the headlines, portraying themselves as the forbearer of democracy, jumping on the bandwagons of celebrity culture so decadently pursued by a democratic mass. It is a shame that under such a democratic western culture, no opposition even dares to speak out publicly and forcefully against the violence and narrow mindedness to those who hijacked the Olympics for political reasons. It is questionable what happened in Tibet is anti-Tibetan race by the Chinese. What would Britain do if Muslim kill their British neighbours, burning down house and cars in Bradford or Leeds? Have Britain ever managed to win their minds and hearts? Democracy, as it is proclaimed by the Europeans and Americans, has no right to be self righteous, typified by the majority of Americans who supported wars of their government in many other countries.

Quan, Belfast, Northern Ireland

Its weird no Chinese student studing abroad have a say to the farce. Are you considering that this is orchestrated by the WEST again?????

Billy Fok, Hong Kong, SAR

Only abandon these games if London 2012 is cancelled for the illegal invasion and murder of hundreds of thousands of innocent Iraqi men, women and children. Today makes me sick of having a British passport. Doubled standards and ignorance on an unprecendented scale.

Harminder Kaur, London, UK

China has appalling human rights issues, and I applaude the brave that helps voice their concerns.

What I do not understand is how the british people have allowed the UK government to so badly abuse their own rights? How much of the money that we earn are really ours after all sorts of tax. Smoking bans, traffic cameras, cctvs in the streets, everything we do now is controlled in one way or the other.


If this is freedom, give me communism anydays!

Ken, Leicester,

"Now if northern China's Muslim population rebels the state will be split and you will have a revolution that will only end in the destruction of the Communist State...

I say bring it on....."

yes break down all "rogue states" so the west can rule the planet without opposition like they used. The west has invaded more countries, killed more civilians and shot more protesters than China ever will. This is China's two fingers to western hypocrisy

raymond, the norf, uk

Gordon Brown did know what to do with the torch! Just like he is running the country

B Francis Williams, France,

China - small numbers. Why do you not boycott the US, the UK and Denmark for invading Iraq: more than 650 000 extra deaths, 2,2 million exiles in other countries, and the same number internally desplaced. Send Mr Blair and Mr Rasmussen of Denmark to the Hague (Int'l Criminal Court) and not to Brussels (the EU presidency). The situation in Iraq is worse than in Darfur.

Erkki Snellman, Helsinki, Finland

Today was a bit of an expensive farce. The government had seriously under-rated the strength of feeling of the pro-Tibet protesters and were caught with their pants down.
In the circumstances it would have been better to have had a low-key event that didn't involve running through open streets.
A rather ignominious end to a procession that should have carried a much more united message.

Oxford Don, Oxford, UK

The government was wrong about the public feeling of the Iraq war, and again they are wrong about the public feeling about the Chinese treatment of Tibet.

Way to go Mr Brown.

Arthur, Newcastle,

I was walking through City today and joined the crowd on the South Bank.

Why do we boycott Bejing because China occupy Tibet? Why aren't we bocotting 2012 when we are in Iraq?

I asked a protestor today and he said "I don't know maybe the chinese [boycott 2012] I think it's to early to do that now."

I'm sick of this "It's OK we're Britain" attitide most protesting of 2008 starte after Greece when we saw Greek armed security forces attacking protestors outside Olympic Stadium in Athens.

Why didn't we boycott Athens 2004 because they were, at the time, fully at war with Turkey over Cyprus, an Island with indepedance occupied by the military of to massive south eastern European bodies?

Maybe these people would get somewhere if they started earlier.

London was granted the Olympics in June 2005 after a proccess that started in 2003 (my guess) and so if the same rule applies protestor could of started asking the board in 1999 when Bejing was merely on a short-list.

Richard , Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire

Whose idea was it to have representatives of the Chinese government "protecting" the torch as it made its way through London. Did the Met decide they weren't up to the job or did the Chinese government decide this for them? Was this a misguided attempt at international cooperation or did somebody somewhere cravenly give in to a "request" from on high?

Esther, London,

I remember reading years ago, at that time, the uncomfirmed UN estimate of the numbers liquidated by China's Communist s was between 20,000,000 and 30,000,000.

While I strongly agree with your London protests, the leaders,
and to a large degree, the people of China, simply don't care.
The State is more inportant than 100 monks or a
1,000,000 peasants. They will continue to crush all who dare
disagree.

Most Western governments, McDonalds, Coke, and the IOC
subscribe to an analogous Cash-Flow Creed. Just substitute
"Profit" for "State". The worst of Communisim united with the worst of Capitalism.

Ever onward toward "My Big Fat Track Meet"!

John Gillan, Chicago, Illinois

It's scary how the british police will use excessive force upon british citizens (you know, the ones who pay their wages), at the request of the chinese. It's even worse when they allow the chinese thugs to manhandle british subjects too.

Arthur, Newcastle,

Since our respective national Olympic organisations and Governments won't boycott the games, beside protesting when the 'flame of harmony' is paraded though the streets of our cities - uninvited -, we all have the options of: not watching any of the game's TV-coverage, beginning with the opening ceremony, as well as boycotting any of the sponsor's products - at least for the month of August. I, for one, won't be part, in any way whatsoever, of this propagandistic show of a Government - and it's commercial hangers-on -, which, today, is the torch bearer of human rights abuses in many a field, not just in relation to Tibet or Dafur.

Derek Frey, Munich, Germany

The cowardly Met police buckled under at St Paul's - protests on both sides were noisy but peaceful. The chaos caused by the indecision of the Met and the eventual decision after 15 mins to hide the flame and show an unlit torch from a bus speeding away disappointed thousands, left a number of children in the welcoming party upset and left the Lord Mayor and Bishop of London standing on the steps of St Paul's like lemons while the Scot's guards playing Roll Out the Barrel to try to cover the chaos! Although the Tibet protestors were noisy, the police had them completely covered by a show of force including officers hiding thier faces and others in combat gear. They could have been contained to let the ceremony go on - as it was Britain was left a laughing stock. While I agree China's human rights record is appalling (why the Chinese shouting "One China" are living in London, not Beijing?) the TIbet protestors now open the real possibility of a boycott and devaluing of London 2012.

Jon Barker, London,

I'm not naive enough to believe the Chinese Government will change its policy in Tibet or elsewhere because of these 'free Tibet!' demonstrations all along the route of the Olympic Flame, but the very nature of a repressive authoritarian government is such that , smile as their diplomats and representatives may, they won't enjoy the confrontations as more and more demostrators make their voices heard for the silenced Tibetans who, according to some on this column, should be 'dignified' enough to protest quietly.. for another 50 years. What a load of rubbish. No prizes for guessing, however they sign themselves, who sends in these comments! So well done London! And vas-y Paris!!!!

Paola, Milan, Italy

Bandwagon jumping is the the past time of the West. We latch onto a cause created by Hollywood film stars and feel that we are being righteous. Tibet before the Chinese went in was a country of Slavery and Feudalism. One would get their eyes gouged and hands mutilated just for taking a sheep from a landlord or a Monk (yes I said Monk). We all think the Dalai Lama and the rest of his robe wearing cronies are a bunch of peace loving religious types but this is far from the truth. When the world was trying to get Pinnochet convicted the Dalai Lama wanted him released. When the world was condemning the USA in Iraq he declined. The exiled Monks live lavish lifestyles in the USA courtesy of the CIA. Proud to be British? Hah! I am ashamed that we are incapable of reading a book and realising that China has and continue to do so much for Tibet. China is not perfect but neither is the UK (Iraq) and USA (Guantanamo) or many other Western countries. Grow Up!

Parvez Halim, London, UK

Certainly people should protest about China's human rights record. Why don't they boycott all Chinese made goods, and get rid of all the computers, televisions, ipods and mobile phones that are manufactured there from their homes and lives. Now that would have a real and long term impact on China's economy. Our society is awash with with Chinese made goods and we can't survive without them.
Far better that, surely, than pouncing on an ageing sports star or micro celebrity in order to grab yourself ten seconds of fame on the evening news. But then hypocrisy has never been a problem for the 'right on brigade'. The Olympics have been held in countries with equally appalling attitudes to human rights in the past. But the Olympic ideal is supposed to transcend politics. In ancient times even states at war with each other stopped fighting during the Olympiad. By all means draw attention to Tibet's plight. But do it with a bit of dignity please.

Sean O'Connor, Sittingbourne, UK

Certainly people should protest about China's human rights record. Why don't they boycott all Chinese made goods, and get rid of all the computers, televisions, ipods and mobile phones that are manufactured there from their homes and lives. Now that would have a real and long term impact on China's economy. Our society is awash with with Chinese made goods and we can't survive without them.
Far better that, surely, than pouncing on an ageing sports star or micro celebrity in order to grab yourself ten seconds of fame on the evening news. But then hypocrisy has never been a problem for the 'right on brigade'. The Olympics have been held in countries with equally appalling attitudes to human rights in the past. But the Olympic ideal is supposed to transcend politics. In ancient times even states at war with each other stopped fighting during the Olympiad. By all means draw attention to Tibet's plight. But do it with a bit of dignity please.

Sean O'Connor, Sittingbourne, UK

... Chinese forebearence will always be greater than the tibetan race as a whole

David, Weymouth, Dorset

Guys comment in general makes it clear Chinese see Tibet and Tibetans as a separate country and race. On one hand they denounce imperialism, on the other hand they are Imperialist. What a very mixed up country.

Andy, Luxembourg,

What will the British do if the Irish want to be free? We haven't colonized anybody and dont' have experience on this. If you guys do care about the Tibetans please share the experience of handling irish bombing. I fear that will be the next the Tibetan will do under the help the British and CIA. A better advice to all the atheletes who attending the game, please boycott so that you actually can save your own lives and others. Lets boycott so give China a peace.

Mike, Somerset,

It is a shame that we cannot escape politic anywhere these days. Even children's comic is infliterated with politicised messages.

Chinese government tried to use olympic as a political tool. Then its all those tibetian protesters trying to attack the torch. since when is olympic becoming a political forum?

I guess modern day extremist (be it Chinese government or protesters) care little about the collateral damage, which is sport itself.

I am not a big sport fan, but I do feel for all those athelte whose olympic is being "boycott", "attacked" and "hijacked"- by those who care little, and had little to lose when it comes to sport.

Choose a different event to express your politics. or choose a chinese embassies around the world. Get your PR campaign going to publised your cause. Not hijacking something that "explictly" distance itself from the dirty world of politic. how more explict does it needs to get? Olypmic hosting in the middle of the atlantic ocean every 4 years?

Mak, Telford, Telford

I was surprised to see 5 Chinese "Communist " flags being waved in Canary Wharf.
But no UK or Tibetan flags ?. A bit too close to the real heart of the matter.
It was an accidental but timely reminder of real motives.

Kevin , Ireland.

Kevin Finbarr, Dublin, Ireland

You have not seen anything yet, wait until London 2012. I am sure the protests against the UK presence in Iraq and Afghanistan will make these protests look like a walk in the park.

Keith, Ashford,

There are two ways of looking at todays event- you could see it as a complete waste of taxpayers money having all those policemen working overtime to protect ..a torch? plus closing all the roads in central london, or you could see it as a brilliant opportunity to highlight the tibetan (and burma and darfur) people's plight on the hands of that big bully china.
One thing - to the chinese who fiercely defend their own government- Why do you need Tibet? Aren't you big enough already??
All I can say is bring on Paris

Ed, London, UK

I can't believe you even call others bully. Who is the real bully? The iraqies didn't want the war. I say bring it on Great Britain.

Mike, Somerset,

This is not the first time that the British police have viciously stopped those protesting against China`s shocking human rights record. I shall never forget the time when I saw a London cop holding his leather gloved hand across the mouth of a woman protester who`s only crime was to stand on the pavement and try to speak out.
The excessive force used by the police today is getting worse and more common.
Nu-labour, new brutality ?

Simon Cooper, Toronto, Canada

Tibet problem has been around for 50 years, and during the last 10 years it had become quiet. India and China the enemies who fought a war are coming closer together. China
is sending its students to India and Indian IT firms have close links with China. Lots of Chinese made products are sold in India. These develpments are not welcome in Tibet and by Dalai Lama followers or the Tibetans in Tibet. The Summer Olympics this year is an opportunity as they saw it and the protests started in Tibet and the Chinese played into their hands.

I worked in India for years and know that the Dalai Lama and his followers would stay in Dharmsala for the rest of their lives.
We have to accept that Tibet will never be free and work with China to make the Tibetans life better. China will be a superpower within decades. That is the reality. as for comfotable middleclass protectors who behaved so shamefully today this reality should strike home

Peter, Edinburgh,

I applaud the protesters today, at the same time I do have this feeling that politics should, as far as possible, be left out of sport.
One thing worries me, how come a foreign state (China) is allowed to have its security guards around the torch, yet another "outsourced" service? Surely the security should have been dealt with by the police exclusively?

Graham, Suffolk

Graham, Ipswich, Suffolk

Who were the blue tracksuited 'thugs' guarding the flame of shame ? Who let them into our country ? Who let them push and shove their way down our streets ?

Brian, Caernarfon, Wales

I am a Brit living and working Guangdong Province China. I am completely astonished at the ignorance of westerners regarding the subject of Tibet. Tibet has been allied with China since the 7th Century when it's King, Songtsen Gampo, married the daughter of a Chinese Emperor. Most Lhasans have some 'Celestial' Han Chinese blood as a consequence - there is no such thing as ethnic Tibetan, just as there is no such thing as Ethnic German. Since the 12th Century, Tibet has been a recognised autonomous Province of China. When the British started to peddle the Opium Death into Guangdong Province the Chinese lost influence in Tibet as they focused on kicking us Brits back into the sea, but they never considered it outside of China. Until Mao retook control of Tibet, the Dalai Lama and his Monks, the ruling elite, had enslaved the peasants and turned back the economic clock by 12 centuries. The monks are far from the poor peacemakers of Richard Gere's imagination. They are a greedy paramilitar

Bill, London, UK

Well done. At least they're acting on their principles and showing that someone cares about what the Chinese are doing and the fate of those in Tibet, which is more than the lily-livered half-wits in Westminster are doing. As has been said, we should all be boycotting the Olympics, but that won't happen because to many politicians world-wide and their corporate chronies will be making too much money out of it.

Paul Downes, Milton Keynes, Bucks

If I buy a London 2012 key-ring, does that mean that I am legitimising the British governments illegal invasion and occupation of Iraq?

Answer quickly please as I have my visa card out ready.

dave, bilston,

I'm glad they protested and I'm glad it was disrupted. How can the Olympics not be politicised when the host country has no regard for basic human rights and freedom of expression?

The torch relay is a stupid, expensive waste of time and resources, set up by a madman and propagated by idiots.

It is not surprising to see that the most violent behavior today came from the police, not the protesters.

Charlotte, London,

My advice to those who protested and who are commenting against China. Throw way your mobile telephones as they are manufactured in China and bin most of your clothes as they are likely to be manuactured in China and your TVs, tape recorders and your lap tops as they are mostly from China. Show your solidarity in a practical way by hitting the Chinese exports.

Kiran, Manchester,

What are you talking about!! What a terrible thing to say! You would rather they suffer in a morbid regime then fight for what they feel so passionate about, standing quietly on the sidelines doesn't get anything done in this world I'm afraid. you obviously have never felt passionate about any cause otherwise you would understand.

The fact that 2000 police officers were taken off the streets for this shows that something was not right here. So many people cant be wrong. I am ashamed to be a Londoner and the celebs that took part are more fickle than I thought.

How ironic that people are being taken down and locked up for campaigning for human rights.

Eve, LONDON,

PS to Garrison: I have been to China and can speak the language..... it didnt change anything!

Eve, LONDON,

Protestors should have been more tactful and dressed like the Chinese agents and mingled in.

bd, Orlando,

Good try, London. Let's hope San Francisco takes up the initiative and stops the torch.

ralphralph, Beaver City, USA

While I've long been a supporter of Tibet, I have no sympathy and no respect for the pro-Tibet hoodlums and criminals who disrupted the torch ceremony and tried to even extinguish the Olympic Torch in London. Do you people not realize how much damage you're doing to the pro-Tibet movement?

London hosts the 2012 Olympics, and many people are angry about the war in Iraq, or the Falklands-- do you want criminals like this trying to disrupt the torch then, too?

And Ben, commenters like you give the pro-Tibet movement a bad name, the way you openly cheer the prospect of a Chinese civil war in Tibet and Xinjiang, which would kill millions of people, including Tibetans and Uyghurs! You don't care about human rights-- you only care about ruining China, even if the Tibetans themselves suffer!

If you care about Tibet, then learn the Chinese language, don't boycott-- go to China, talk to people there. And let the torch, a symbol of peace, proceed undisturbed!

Garrison, Santa Cruz, California

The protestors should be ashamed. They have embarrassed our nation with their behaviour and risked the health and safety of the runners, police and bystanders. Protest peacefully. Do not put people at risk with your actions or you become as bad as the Chinese Gov.

Any protestors that are not UK citizens should be deported.

Angus, Sutton,

It reminds me of the way some people thought the Mujahideen and Bin Laden were freedom fighters in their struggle for a "free Afghanistan" in the 80s.
If the Greater Tibet were to re-establish a barbaric theocracy, or were able to re-ignite the CIA funded terror campaign of the 50s in Tibet and Nepal, nothing positive will come out of it.
The best Free Tibet advocates can get is an ethnic war, is that really what people want?

Heiko Khoo, London, UK

The whole world should boycott the olympics over the Chinese Genocide in Tibet. However as theres no oil there the politicians of the west will do the same as they have done in Rwanda and Somalia - nothing. Protesting on this can unite the world in condemnation of Chinas brutal regime.

Al, Sydney, Australia

In carrying the torch people collude with the horrific human rights record of China. Not just in Tibet but across the whole country. China is an unfit host for the Olympic Games in the first place.
Sadly it would appear that atheletes subscribe to the old adage that 'Good at sport means thick when it comes to thinking'. Sadly many are also motivated by self-interest, personal promotion and sponsorship deals. Many have now successfully shot themselves in the foot with their actions today. Sport and politics will always be intertwined in spite of what any dumb athelete or polititian says, for them it is a relationship of convenience and self-seeking.
We should be deeply ashamed to have that torch on our streets. It shows our polititians to be weak, cowardly and irresponsible. I salute the protestors and congratulate them on their courage, integrity and guts. Let's hope there are many more along the route. Let's snuff the flame out!

Juanita, London, UK

Shame on the so-called celebrities carrying that torch.

Of course, I'd hope for the same reaction if it was the United States hosting the Olympics- we are certainly undergoing a horrible phase in human rights at the moment.

Homer, Tucson, Arizona

Ben, London - yeah I totally agree - if only these protestors thought through a bit more. I mean each time one broke through the barriers about 5 - 6 coppers bundled him. Now if a protestor did that with about 10 mates in quick succession then they would have had about 60 coppers occupied int he arresting businesses while another one grabs the big prize of a stick on fire.

T S, Surrey,

Anyone who carried that torch today should be ashamed of themselves. And unless things change radically for the better, anyone who agrees to carry it in the continuing relay should feel the same.

Shaun Smith, Toronto, Canada

The police did a good job today.Keep it up.

Andy, London,

Good on you Claudia Watts. I don't know what you should do for the millions of people who were been forced to slavery. Why don't you join the Free Tibet campain so that you don't have to protest quietly.

Mike, Somerset,

There are two ways of looking at todays event- you could see it as a complete waste of taxpayers money having all those policemen working overtime to protect ..a torch? plus closing all the roads in central london, or you could see it as a brilliant opportunity to highlight the tibetan (and burma and darfur) people's plight on the hands of that big bully china.
One thing - to the chinese who fiercely defend their own government- Why do you need Tibet? Aren't you big enough already??
All I can say is bring on Paris

Ed, London, UK

I am not Tibetan, yet I did walk to Canary Wharf to stand quietly at the side of the road and hold up 2 Tibetan flags. Why? Because nearly 21 years ago, as a young graduate who had been working for a year in China, I visited Tibet and inadvertently walked into a scene of carnage as Chinese soldiers and police opened fire on a crowd of unarmed protesters - mostly women, children and monks - in the main square in front of the Jokhang temple. Seeing a young man who could not have been more than a teenager having his brains coming out of the back of his head as he was shot in the forehead only feet from me not surprisingly made a lasting impression and forced me to review my ideas about China. Two decades later, the western world and its politicians continue to pander to the Chinese government, pussy-footing around the situation, fearful of the economic implications. In the meantime, the oppression and violence in Tibet continues. Today's protests focus attention on the situation. Good!

Claudia Watts, London,

The Olympic torch should never have come to London at all. China's human rights record is appalling and certainly not within the spirit of the Olympic ideal. It is all well and good for the sports people to spout off all the stuff about the Olympics not being political, but when you get down to the nitty gritty it is all politics - it is all about prestige for the host country - and MONEY. Knowing what has happened Tibet and within China's Muslim population, in Darfur, Burma to just name a few, how can anyone bestow honour and glory on a nation that has so much blood on it's hands. Good for the protestors, they did a great job of telling the world how they feel today. Ron of London - Free Tibet is not a fashionable phrase that no-one knows the meaning of - watch the news, read the papers, check out the websites - you will soon find out what Free Tibet really means for the world. PEACE AND FREEDOM TO OUR TIBETAN FRIENDS - MAY YOUR COUNTRY BE RESTORED TO YOU VERY SOON

Wendy, Hull, UK

What a surprise - Gordon Brown enjoys the company of thugs. Move along, nothing new to see here.....

Chris, London,

Shame on those disrupting the touch relay. Actually most Chinese people can't see these offensive pics and comments immediately nationwide, however they just show how crazy some demonstrators will be in the name of omnipotent "freedom" and "democracy".

Those argueing they are not agaist Chinese people but Chinese regime should better turn to the Chinese and ask if they feel sick about your boycott calling and the flame-snatching farce. If you've decided to keep away from Beijing Olympics, would please stop disrupting it absurdly with a fire extinguisher? Please stop being that arrogant!

Clarecne Liu, Guangzhou, China

Jerry Scroggin of Phoenix, Arizona. Get back to the history books and check your facts, The thirteen colonies were effectively Brits abroad not a separate nation that had been invaded and smothered by the occuping power as is the case with Tibet. Unless of course you are a native American Indian who has a reasonable axe to grind about their ancestors treatment, particularly from the nation that the former 13 countries became. Some 'Land of the Free' eh!
You probably will not know that the reason for the 'Boston tea party' and war of independence was that England was broke after fighting 'The Seven Years War' (1756-63 which ensured that the French would not gain the colonies), and not unreasonably asked for the settlers to help out with the cost. Our mistake was, of course,not allowing the colonies to send MPs to Westminster. I could go on and on about the hypocrisy that the USA has displayed over colonialism since then but will settle for the above!

Brian Wildey, Fleurance, France

I have just watched the apalling scenes of British Police officers heavy handed dealing with the demonstations in London. Orders had obviously come from upon high that demonstrators should be dealt with vigourously. The Police again have blindly allowed themsleves to be the tool of Central Government. I am a serving police officer and those scenes made me ashamed of what I saw today. I have also been to Tibet and seen an occupied country, living under the Chinese jack boot. Today was appeasement of the highest order, to a disgraceful totalitarian regime. I hope those officers involved will feel the full force of shame when those images are repeated in years to come, when we reflect on a lost Tibet and a cultural and racial genocide. To all those involved in carrying the torch, you too have blood on your hands. Sport is part of life and you represent this country. Remember how history judged those English footballers who saluted Hitler in 1936!

Steve H, Wales, UK,

The Olympic Charter includes among the Olympic ideals respect for fundamental ethical values and non-discrimination on religious and other grounds. China should not have been awarded the Olympics in the first place on account of its disrespect of the values behind the Olympic ideal and its persecution on religious grounds.

The torch of shame should never have been allowed through London. Shame on all those sportsmen and minor celebrities who accompanied it.

Martyn, London,

We would not have any vestige of freedom if we did not protest .Just to remind you Magna Carta Emily Pankhurst Mandela ect ect . Whats going on in Tibet is genacide forcable steralisation torcher and repression of course we should demonstrate

tony , carmarthen, wales

Id like to see the scum who try to humiliate us chinese try those tricks in beijing...If they have enough courage to come to China and do it to a crowd of chinese, not held back by police. Chinese forebearence will always be greater than the tibetan race as a whole

David, Weymouth, Dorset

The New Labour colours are now firmly nailed to the mast !! They have shown support to the Chinese governmenmt and enrolled our police force to "quell" any demonstrators ...hmm reminiscent of chinese government behaviour to protestors ?? Their MP's and families are shown to be self serving and we the voting public are to remain silent. Thank goodness for the web and independant reporting which uncovers these unscrupulous characters and their behaviour. I'm ashamed to have voted once for these people and will actively seek a rightminded party which will act for and on behalf of the british public.

John McCabe, Glasgow, Scotland

It has been my experience that the so called human right protesters give so little consideration to the human right of others. So many people came to watch the Olympic torch being carried , and their rights are ignored by the actions of the activists which can only be called as thuggery. Their way of protesting is to run and snatch the torch from the carrier and do not care if the person gets hurt in the process. Shame on them for their disgraceful action. They had the option to hold up their placards and stand peacefully to draw attention to the cause.

Norman, LONDON,

For heavens sake, the politics in Tibet are a completely different matter to these ridiculous protests. By trying to extinguish the Olympic flame they are extinguishing the Olympic spirit, not re-lighting it.

By endangering their own countrymen, they are simply making fools of their 'human rights' protest. Tibet is a mess, so try and deal with it. But why put their own streets, their own people, into danger? And as for the ambassador, she is a guest and should be treated as such with politeness and courtesy.

The Olympic flame burns to show the presence of the Olympic spirit. Perhaps the protesters should have extinguished the flame - it's clear that London hasn't got the spirit.

Cassie, Ireland,

I must say that I was disappointed. A handful rioters and noisy protesters ruined the wonderful day out of majority people. If this is called freedom, I would rather not have it

It is apparent that the protest was well planned to sabotage the relay. Are the protesters really Tibetans? All I can see were a few White faces making their rants on the TV. While thousands of ordinary spectators and Games supports were largely ignored by the BBC.

Alex Chan, London, UK

went to the london bridge relay section and at the O2 dome.

The police have been so biased towards the chinese, it's unreal. Allowing the chinese supporters to have flags close to the relay sections. Not allowing anit-olympics people to get close or to answer back.

At the O2 dome, not allowing people to carry tibetan flags into the event itself, but ok to have a chinese flag. I saw a free tibet supporter being man-handled, searched through his phone and belongings.

I'm glad I went to the demonstrattions. So good to see so many like minded people.

zaw aung, london, uk

People that think that the protestors were in the wrong are sadly delusional. The passing of the Olympic torch has larger significance this year than the celebration of good sportsmanship. If that same uninformed, badly read majority looked a little bit closer at exactly what the torch passing is costing the UK taxpayer, where it's route starts and finishes and all the other various political implications involved they would more likely applaud the protesters than deride them.

MK, Ostuni, Italy

Guha, LONDON,
I think after he rising in 1959,China government do not believe Dalai any more.I hope you know Tibet first independent in 1912 and recover in 1950,just after China civil war~So Chinese think Tibet is part of China because before 1912 and after 1950,it is part of China.And Dalai think after independent in 1912,he was the leader of Tibet.

Leeyang, Shenyang, China

I am sick and tired of sports so called people defending themselves by saying it's not their problem and sport is only sport,that may have been true many years ago,sport today is about winning at all costs even other nationals lives,lets not forget 140 tibetians lost their lives in china.
So called sport today is about money,cheating and drugs at all costs,and the carrying of a torch in the name of sport is pure nonsense,until everyone boycotts nations with policies against human rights the sooner we can all live in a civilised world,or like many writing on this blog bury your heads in the sand...

Mike B, Lincoln, uk

Chinatown has Chinese people from most parts of Asia, not only China mainland. If China were so bad, Chinatown would have packed with all the Chinese human right protestors and i world have been the worst area the embassador wanted for her touch relay. This itself tells all: Chinese themselves think that their govenemnt do more good than bad.

Clearly, Olympic ideal has been hijacked by some extremists.

The question is: to satisfy the seemingly unlimited right of a tiny minority of activists, or to satisfy the right of vast majority of the ordinary people?

Tibet activists got their prime '' air time " and "paycheck"; jounatlists got their hot "news' printed and sold. Who will be the biggest "loser"? - ordinary people like you and me.

Half a year from now, everything will be forgotten, except that the long-term memory of the Chinese. Thay will remember who were the guys who spoiled their major coming-out party to the world and they will pay us back in due time.

K. van Wijk, London,

Today made me proud to be British. I was outside St Pauls with people from all walks of life - lawyers to school children - who were making their protest.

However, shame on the police for using a line of police vans and the olympic bus to prevent the predominantly Tibetan side of the street from seeing anything, and giving the group of Chinese supporters prime spot.

My advise to anyone wanting to see the torch in other cities, keep you pro tibet poster in your pocket until the torch arrives!

Stephen Edwards, London, Uk

Leung, Hong Kong said "Would the UK government consider the pro-Tibet demonstrators as peacful protestors if they armed with axes & hunting knives ... set fires against shops, which burnt innocents alive to death, in the central London area."

No. And in the UK we won't be pushed to do anything like that. We have a little something called the right to peaceful protest, as well as a free press, and we can say what we want to in print, online and on the streets. The Tibetans and Chinese don't have this basic freedom, which is kind of the point.

And by the way Chris K, some of us can indeed locate Tibet on a map, and have a much better understanding of the history and issues than anyone who relies on sanitised propaganda from the Chinese media.
One last time; my throat hurts: Free Tibet!

Mark Simpson, London,

What can people do except for individuals and NGOs to protest against the Chinese occupation and oppression of Tibet.

No government is willing to protest as everyone don't want to loose trade with China and moreover China has veto power at UN. As such United Nation the august and honorable forum where rogue regimes are disciplined.

But this very institution has shown its back on Tibet for last 60 years despite brutal and oppressive Chinese rule in Tibet.

This one of the very rare opportune moment for oppressed people of Tibet and Darfur to put their case to the conscience of the world.

There wouldn't be much protest unless Chinese politicize the Olympic through use of Olympic Torch and use of global figures like Gordon Brown for carrying the Torch.

Since 1936 Olympic has been a politicized both by oppressed and oppressor.

Nawang Pema, Brampton,

I think it was great to see all this disruption by all people who are oppressed by Chinese rule. The Chinese are very sensitive about saving face. Yet they are ruthless and cruel
when it comes to the human rights of even their own people.
All these democratic governments stop short of full protests
because of their economic interest in trading with a China
who exploits their own population with low wages. This is just
the begining. You ain't seen nothing yet. When it gets to Paris
home of the European revolution, all hell is going to break loose.Separate politics from the Olympics, give me a break, what about 1936 and 1980. Why are we always picking on
those poor Germans and Russian?

Doc Young, san francisco, usa

Olympics = Corruption

When the torch started its route in Greece and there were already some protests agains human right violations in China, the Greek police acted with brutal violence, as directed by prime minister Caramanlis. Makes sense, Caramanlis is where he is because those who have power in Greece (aka all the corrupted billionare shipowners) are getting wealthier than ever thank you to the trade with China.

And in the UK, well, the bigest bank of this country has an acronym that literally is about two Chinese cities/territories. Do all the Brits have to support corruption at massive scale for the benefit of some bank's shareholders?

John, London,

to Tim (London), those were definitely the Chinese SWAT/SAS wearing tracksuits. were they "operating" on British streets? technically not because they weren't carrying no weapons and certainly didn't lay their hands on the protestors. who took down the protestors? British police. all they (the Chinese) did were to hold on to the torch when that bloke tried to snatch it. they Brits took him down. IF the Chinese were indeed in "operation", that bloke wouldn't have gone so far. firstly, he'd have gotten a painful jab to his kidneys, two finger would be rammed into his nostrils, yanking his nose upwards, then his accu pt on the hand grabbing the torch would be pressed so hard he'd let go due to the pain. so no, the Chinese guys were just protecting the torch, the flame, the Olympic spirit. the violence was inflicted by the West, the British police.

gary, london,

Why are Chinsse Security allowed? Any other event te Police would not allow it

B Francis Williams, France,

The protests in London were pretty good, I'm sure the CCP are well furious and embarrassed..... and I thought the sight of that scrum of Chinese heavies and British bobbies jogging along getting jeered at was hilarious .... but I feel overall more effort could have been made really by the UK protestors. Come on Paris and San Francisco! The original lands of the free! I'm sure you can do better!

Jennifer Bryte, Liverpool, UK

After being in a trip to China these last days, I have been totally oblivious to the predicaments that the olympic torch is having as it goes through the World.

The Chinese government has virtually erased all forms of dissent in the English speaking media inside the country and the great firewall of China is doing its best to stop the news from coming into the mainland.

What is the Chinese government achieving with this? I don't particularly know, but when a Chinese person gives their opinion in these fora, then I can't quite simply stop thinking that they are just juxtaposing the views of their Government on their mouths.

Chinese will say that the West is biased, but at least in the West we can read whichever newspaper we want and build our own opinions, whether they be pro or against Tibet.

What China needs is freedom of speech and freedom of press... Let the people and not the Government make informed decisions about what is good or wrong...

E M, London,

The Olympics is a bit of a bore. The UK values trade -perhaps rightly for UK jobs- over Tibet.
As for Tessa Jowell, you can not beleive a word she says.

roger, london,

I did not mind the british police doing there jobs to protect the
individual carrying the torch. What I do object to is the phalanx
of Chinese, obviously military personel, goose-stepping though our capital, abusing people that are rightfully protesting China's criminal human rights record. The elected government of this country are more concerned with the money that can be made in exports than the way other humans are treated. Last time I looked this was a free country which allows people to protest openly, or has this right gone the same way as all our other ones.

Tedward, Gosport, Britain

I have just watched British police officers acting like thugs against peaceful protestors. Are we going to shame our country protecting British commercial interests in the Far East? When will the British government have the decency to support our national sense of far play?

John Carlin, Lampeter, UK

I really thought that we in this country had long since laid down and let the government and anyone else walk all over us.

The human rights abuses going on in China are disgusting and anyone who takes part in these olympics have blood on their hands and yes I do mean these torch bearers.

The government need to know that we feel passionately about the moralistic aspect of this and not the politics of it.

The Olympics is fast becoming synonymous with ostentatious displays of gratuitous wealth when people are dying in abject poverty and misery. Their displays of wealth are starting to remind me of Robert Mugabe!

No matter how much the athletes protest that they are only athletes doing what they do, the Olympics are all about politics.

kim, london,

I see the Met police are in solidarity with the brutal Chinese bully boys in Tibet. I also saw that Gordon Brown didn't actually touch the torch outside Number 10..!!

Shame on Nicky Gavron for handling the Flame of Shame in Wembley.

Donald Lyven, London, UK

Today made me proud to be British. I was one of the demonstrators in the Mile End Road when the police turned tail under a hail of eggs and snow balls (mother nature's way of protesting) and had put the torch on a bus - I say let the politicians have their games, but don't try to pretend that the British people approve!

Gilman Grundy, London, London

I was studying in India when Dalai Lama was given refuge. Although he has been a peaceful person, his supporters in India and Tibet since then has been not reluctant let me say add physical intervention to any arguments. I would like China to have dialogue with Dalai Lama to resolve the problem of Tibet. I would like to have seen Tibet supporters silently standing along the route with their placards in a dignified way. Snatching some thing which is not theirs is 'un-Buddhist and un-Dalai Lama' way of drawing attention to the plight of Tibetan people.

Guha, LONDON,

The Olympic Games are a sporting event introduced to unite countries across the world in the context of sporting excellence. Neither the flame procession nor the games themselves should be an excuse for protesters to voice their disapproval of political issues. Although what is happening in Tibet is totally unacceptable, using the Olympic Games as an opportunity to voice disapproval is also unacceptable. Hundreds of athletes have trained hard their whole lives to live the Olympic dream, and the games should be about celebrating sporting achievement, not voicing disapproval at China's actions in Tibet. The responsibility for resolving this issue lies with world leaders and representatives, not the organisers of the Olympic Games. The Olympic Games have for too long become the subject of politics and not sport. Let 2008 be the year that the Olympics represent what their creators intended them to represent.

Nick, London, England

"Police arrest a man" it says. Similar pictures of chinese police wrestling with tibetan protestors give a very different headline though, as past articles have shown. Why?

jeff, Manchester,

I'm ashamed of my country today. These so called peaceful demonstrations were intimidating to the ordinary citizen who turned up to watch the olympic torch for what it was supposed to be - a celebration of good sporting behaviour.

These so called human rights protestors abused the human rights of many ordinary people in London today. Many ordinary people turned up simply to watch the torch, but, because of irresponsible actions of the protestors were prevented from seeing because of the police needing to protect the torch.

I am all for peaceful demonstration - but a rioting mob of more than a hundred chasing the torch trying to get at it is not peaceful protest.

Rob, Swansea, UK

It's your british demoracy? It's just chaos which is similar as that's taking place in T5 of your Healthrow in my opinion.

lukas, Birmingham,

It was great to be a part of something positive and although the torch is sadly still lit as it passed us just to be there is SO many other supporters against the Chinese regime and their ethnic cleansing. As for the question of Sports and Politics mixing, well when Gordon Brown received the Olympic Torch outside No.10 then it’s a very clear sign that Sport and Politics do mix. Therefore it’s a rightful cause for any protesting to stop the Olympic Torch and put it out, not just in the UK. To hear Steve Redgrave go on about how Sports Personalities don’t have a political opinion over ethnic cleansing in Xingjiang (China) and Tibet is sickening, these people who are in the public eye should still have a moral responsibility in supporting equality and human rights for all. Sports and Politics are very much intertwined, as well as Sporting Personalities and the Honour List. So ‘Sir’ Steve Redgrave, you are in politics and it’s up to you to should which side of humanity you are on.

Antony Masters, London, UK

“Like many people in the UK we feel that China has no right parading the Olympic torch through London,” - this is exactly the sort of view that I think misleads the whole situation.

For heaven's sake, this isn't China parading the torch. It isn't a new idea representing China. This is the whole world parading the Olympic torch, not a Chinese symbol. The torch always travels from Olympia to the Games and it always should.

The Olympics are a massive force for good, bringing together so many nations. It is important to keep these global traditions and not let them be overshadowed by individual instances.

Now don't turn and claim that I don't care about the Human Rights abuse in China and Tibet. I'm defending the Olympic tradition, not any country in particular.

Matt Andrews, London,

By the way it’s not just Tibetans who are being persecuted but there are many other groups of Chinese people in China itself, this is a protest for their freedom and civil liberties, to have what we all regards as a standard thing – HUMAN RIGHTS.

Antony Masters, London, UK

Let the athletes be athletes.
It is too bad that the US set this precedent of politcal protest in 1980, followed be the Soviet protest in 1984.
I say that if you want to gum up the works, quit buying Chinese made products. I bet the majority of protestors are wearing one garment made in China, but money speaks louder than freedom.
Just let them run, as the more the West protests, the more it will make those in power in China dig in their heels; in short, thier Achliies Heel is the pocketbook, as is every other governments interest is. Have the Chinese put a stranglehold on Hong Kong? No, they have not. They are copying that model and it is just a new player on thier Chess board and unless we match them economically, Tibet, persucuted Christians, and every other faction that does not hold their party line will be crushed by Western dollars.
Greetings from middle America, minus LA and New York and from the cameras that make people lose their sense as they clamour for more cents.

Billy Carpenter, Pierre, USA/SD

British police up to there usual tricks it seems. Does this mean that the British government and police are now openly complicit with the Chinese regime... certainly seems that way.

The Met woman seemed to think that getting the torch from A to B was more important than the rights of all the people protesting on the route. Not good.

Gordon Brown is a huge disapointment, I can see why Tony Blair kept him on the back burner for so long. With the Olympics link and all the appeasement of China I can see why many people keep referring to 1936.

Andy, Luxembourg,

Well the Olympics is supposed to signify the coming together of many nations to compete with each other in a peaceful manner. The way the protests have been going on, China needs to do something about it's Tibet and Humanrights issue.

On the part of Tibet this is the right time for them to step up the protests. Their voices may never be heard beyond 2008.
With so much protests all over the world, it makes one wonder what all this is going to end in. Tibet may get its freedom back provided they continue to protest in a non violent manner. That way they can win the hearts of the people world over.

The ball is in China's court. It is upto the Chinese rulers to decide if they should free Tibet and bring joy to many people in the world, or be well known for being a nation that faced many protests prior to the Olympics.

Giridhar.B, Chennai, India

I wouldn't be surprised if many protestors are just the usual middle-class student types who protest because it's the trendy thing to do. Could they locate Tibet on a map? Do they actually know the issues involved?

Chris K, Cheltenham, UK

Proud to be British today. Glad to see that some of us can stand up and protest. The Olympic torch is soaked in the blood of Tibetans - congratulations to those who refuse to ignore this!

J Baker, Tokyo, Japan

isnt the only reason the west is slow to condemn china is that some of our leaders hope the massive chinese economy and growth will help the west if we sink into recession

andrew Stanney, Rawtenstall, Lancashire

I have found today's journey absolutely bizarre. Police in cycling helmets and bright yellow jackets, Chinese representatives almost suffocating whoever is holding the torch, empty roads, wet and measly fireworks. I could barely see the torch holder there are so many people around them!

Helen E., London, UK

I think that the time has come to end the Summer Olympics. It is supposed to be a non-political sporting meeting for amateurs. But it is nearly always dragged into politics by extremists every time.
Let's face it, it is used by professionals, from the USA and Russia, to win medals for their countries. It is also a commercial racket.

Peterr, Northants, England

Today has made me really proud to be British. Congrats to the few who stood up and, by the sound of it, made this event a shambles. I am so proud that we have, so far, caused the biggest fuss.

Julia, London,

I'm not sure I understand those commentators knocking the torch carriers. Strongly disagreeing with the actions of the Chinese government in Tibet (and quite rightly too, in my opinion)does not mean that you have to disagree with every other aspect of Chinese politics or society or economics.

Why do we seek to polarize opinion so much? Why are we not able to that issues such as these are not black and white? That no one group is 100% correct and the other 100% 'evil'?

Boycotts won't hurt those that deserve censure. In fact they are more likely to make ordinary Chinese rally around their government. China has changed immeasurably in the last 15 years. To expect it to change further overnight is not sensible. It will change though, in good time. That change must come from within.

Carry the torch, enjoy the Olympics and engage with China as much as possible. Increasing contact with the rest of the world can only lead to China becoming more and more like the rest of the world.

Yuen, Hong Kong,

I can accept the argument that the Olympics should be more about sport than politics in the Beijing arena itself. However, this Procession of Shame is nothing more than a propaganda exercise by the Chinese government. Ms Huq can tell herself what she likes, but today she helped prop up that exercise - no less than the gormlessly grinning dancing girls on the Samsung promotion bus that preceded the torch. This became a political issue as soon as China were awarded the Olympics and failed to fulfill their pledge to improve human rights.

At the least the guy who tried to grab the torch had the courage of his convictions. More of the same please.

Tom Tucker, London,

Would the UK government consider the pro-Tibet demonstrators as peacful protestors if they armed with axes & hunting knifives to have their protest, and set fires against shops, which burnt innocents alive to death, in the central London area.

Leung, Hong Kong , China

I understand you,british ! It is a shame on you to allow China,a country who ever even lost her terrotory ( Hong Kong),to hold such a great event of Olympic just several years after she took back Hong Kong from your hand. China, a country who was pressed to allow Britain to sell Opium freely there ! Oh,my God, what's wrong ?

Lee, Wuhan, China

Just look at the flags the pro and anti-Tibet protesters are waving - all national flags...they have absolutely nothing to do with sport or "Olympism" but everything to do with nationalistic politics.

Charles, London, UK

The people I saw behaving shamelessly were firstly the police, the only ones I saw using force against other people, and secondly those who carried the torch, the torch of shame!

Jane, Brighton, East Sussex

Makes me laugh that Tessa Jowell came on to say how peaceful the journey through London was when on the split screen over 15 arrests were announced! Its a political farce but better lunchtime tv than ive seen in a long time. Im surprised the runners bother to wave to the crowd when I doubt that anyone can see them. The Chinese seemed more interested in getting the torch seen for photo ops than anything else.

Lindsay, Bournemouth,

Jerry - of course the USA shouldn't boycott the UK games...you still owe us for our service in fighting your wars in the Middle East and supporting your own colonial endeavours. Be a bit nicer old boy.

Claire, London, UK

Why are Chinese Intelligence agents operating on London streets ? These men in blue and white tracksuits are a bit more then torch security.

Tim, London,

If the Olympics were being held in England say in 1772
do you think the torch would have made it through
any of the thirteen colonies?

China is trying to do to Tibet what England tried but
couldn't do to what is now the U.S.A.

Remember?

Question: Should the U.S.A. boycott the UK games?
After all you tried to crush us.

Jerry Scroggin, Phoenix, Arizona/USA

I thought Ms. Huq was fervently against China's recent actions? Great way to protest for the cause don't you think.

Sathiji, London,

I think it’s hugely insensitive of Gordon Brown to take part in these ceremonies, in my opinion the torch should not have bee allowed to come to the UK at all. (Or any democratic country for that matter)

In my opinion it gives the message that a blind eye will be turned to human rights abuses when it is in the interests of the Government. The fact that the torch is passing through Tibet goes to show the Chinese are using this for propaganda purposes and the result can only be more protests, more arrests and more human rights abuses by the Chinese police.

The only good thing that can come from holding the games in China is the spotlight that will be placed on them for the duration of the games although I feel that journalists access will be severely limited with the Chinese Government only allowing them to see the picture painted for them and not the reality of life under an oppressive regime.

Sean Lanigan, London,

"Free Tibet" has became to something fashionable as "Organic" food and cosmetic products. Many free tibet demonstrators have no idea what it is, because it is fashionable words to say and shout! If you really want to know Tibet and Chinese human right rights record, please do travel to China, speak to ordinary Chinese people yourself! Stop being malicious and mean, it is very prejudice and subjective.

ron, London, UK

Now if it was me I would have thought this through a bit more.

The guy with the fire extinguisher almost did it, and if he had been working in conjunction with a couple of friends then it would have worked. Poor old Connie Huq said "No way in my carrying this torch does this mean I endorse China".. well Hun I think you may have overlooked a vital piece of information there.

I really wish some some one does succeed, I am all in favor of a brotherhood of sporting fraternity, but this whole China situation in beyond belief.

Now if northern China's Muslim population rebels the state will be split and you will have a revolution that will only end in the destruction of the Communist State...

I say bring it on.....

Ben, London,

I don't think it is possible to totally disassociate politics from the Olympic games. On the one hand, the games have an important purpose in uniting different cultures around the world. On the other hand, a country's regime can use them to parade its political image across the world.
I am glad that the torch was carried across London - not because ' politics should be kept separate from the Olympic games' but because, it has generated so much publicity about the plight of the Tibetan people.

Kim Domnick, Torquay, UK

I remember that the government-in-exile said that they will follow the torch ,and boycott the torch relay.I am sure this is not the first time and also not the last time~~!

Leeyang, Shenyang,