The Passing Torch

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I stumbled across the torch relay this morning, and stayed for the show. On a non-historical note, the sponsors were disgusting (driving slowly with blaring music, repeating their own name as often as possible while girls waved from the back). But at least they were a good way separate from the torch.

I stood on Northbourne with hundreds of others. There were a few children around, but presumably most were at the ‘peace zone’ – Anzac Parade, where organisers asked people to stop protests and just enjoy the relay in unmolested safety.

The police presence was very obvious, but only added to the feeling of being at an important event. As the torch passed, people cheered, and the most committed section of the crowd – mostly Chinese – followed in parallel.

A small group of protestors near me called out “Free Tibet! Free Tibet!” as the torch came close. Several of the Chinese immediately lifted their own flags and ran up to them, instantly surrounding them and yelling “Beijing! China! Beijing! China!” For a moment, I thought a fight would break out.

Within seconds, the protestors vanished among several Chinese flags, and I couldn’t hear them any more. Like Tibet, they were simply too badly outnumbered to be heard.

I’m at home now, relieved at the lack of serious violence – but more daunted than ever about the possibility of getting China to listen to anyone else when it comes to human rights.