http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/04/30/asia/AS-GEN-Olympic-Torch.php
Olympic torch arrives in Hong Kong
The Associated PressPublished: April 30, 2008
HONG KONG: The Olympic torch returned to Chinese soil Wednesday after
a turbulent 20-nation tour, landing in the bustling financial capital
of Hong Kong, where officials de****ted at least seven protesters
before the flame's arrival.
A marching band and flag-waving children in red and white tracksuits
greeted the torch at the air****t, where it arrived from Vietnam.
The flame was driven to a welcoming ceremony at a cultural center,
where five pro-democracy activists tried to disrupt the event. Holding
a banner that said, "Human rights are universal rights," the
protesters were blocked in the street far from the venue by a dozen
police with their arms linked together.
The protest's leader =97 maverick lawmaker Leung Kwok-hung =97 said, "We
demand that the Chinese communist regime lives up to the promise it
made in 2002 (when it was awarded the Olympics) to improve human
rights in China."
But Leung was heckled by a few elderly onlookers who accused him of
stirring up trouble. One asked him, "Do you consider yourself
Chinese?"
About 3,000 police planned to guard the torch Friday during its relay
through this former British colony, which returned to Chinese rule 11
years ago.
The relay is a high-stakes event for the local government because it
follows a global tour marred by protests against Beijing's human
rights record and its recent crackdown on protests in Tibet. Officials
have asked everyone to wear red to show their sup****t.
Henry Tang, the city's No. 2 ranking leader, said in a speech that
Hong Kong, which will host the Olympic equestrian events, has a great
responsibility to ensure the "dignified, smooth and orderly progress"
of the flame.
"It has been 44 years since we last welcomed the Olympic flame to our
city," he said.
Even before the torch arrived, authorities were busy de****ting at
least seven protesters who were considered a threat to the relay. It
wasn't the first time Hong Kong has blacklisted and de****ted activists
when they arrived for major events. The city used the same tactic when
it hosted a World Trade Organization meeting in 2005.
Human rights groups accused the government of squa****ng free speech to
avoid the political embarrassment of any demonstrations involving the
torch. Although Hong Kong is part of China, it's supposed to enjoy a
wide degree of autonomy and greater freedom under a "one country, two
systems" model of governance.
The de****ted activists included three pro-Tibet protesters who were
kicked out of the territory as they arrived at the air****t Tuesday. A
fourth activist =97 an organizer for an independent Chinese writers'
group =97 also was turned away on Tuesday. Three Danish activists were
de****ted over the weekend.
Mia Farrow was due to arrive in Hong Kong on Thursday to raise
awareness about fighting in Sudan's Darfur region. Activists such as
the 63-year-old actress want China to press Sudan to let U.N.
peacekeepers into Darfur.
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