Local News

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS 5 / KCBS / AP / BCN) ― San Francisco's always-vocal board of supervisors passed a resolution Tuesday protesting China's poor human rights record ahead of the Beijing Olympic torch's visit to the city -- its only North America destination. 
 
The 8-3 resolution vote came moments after the mayor's office announced the six-mile torch route for April 9. The flame will pass along iconic sites like Fisherman's Wharf and the waterfront near the Golden Gate Bridge.

The torch relay will begin at 1 p.m. on April 9 with an opening ceremony at McCovey Cove.

Approximately 80 torch bearers will carry the torch from AT&T Park, then down the Embarcadero to the Wharf, and back up Bay Street to the Embarcadero where the route ends in front of the Ferry Building for a concluding ceremony at Justin Herman Plaza.

Meantime, the supervisors' resolution calls for an international investigation into China's actions in Tibet and its treatment of dissidents. It also asks city officials to express their disapproval of "atrocities" when they receive the torch.

The symbolic but controversial resolution, sponsored by Supervisor Chris Daly, said city leaders should welcome the torch with "alarm and protest at the failure of China to meet its past solemn promises to the international community, including the citizens of San Francisco, to cease the egregious and ongoing human rights abuses in China and occupied Tibet."

"The record of the Chinese government's violation of people's human rights is a well-documented one," Daly said at the board meeting, adding that he saw the resolution as "a unique and historic opportunity to once again reaffirm human dignity and promote fundamental human rights for all people."

Daly did acknowledge that such international issues were "a bit out of the reach of San Francisco supervisors. That being said, the torch is coming to San Francisco."

Outside the board chamber, Daly conceded the resolution's symbolic character, but added, "Let's not discount the importance of words."

Daly said he hoped the resolution would "nudge the Chinese government" toward human rights reforms, as a supporter listening nearby held her head in her hands and wept softly.

After the vote, Mayor Gavin Newsom said he too is concerned about the human rights situation in Tibet, but maintained it was very important to try to keep politics and the Olympics separate.

"I'm not going to be told what to say by Supervisor Chris Daly," Newsom told CBS 5. "A lot of this is politics. A lot of it is principle, too, because the spirit behind it... I'm with them. But I've got to accommodate an event where I've got to keep people safe."

Newsom said protestors would be welcome everywhere on April 9, although police will designate free speech zones for large groups at the beginning and end of the torch route.
 
But the mayor rejected Daly's resolution out of hand, saying he would not seek to cause an international incident.

"For people who want the mayor of San Francisco to condemn human rights violations, I'll do it again," Newsom told CBS 5. "I condemn human rights violations, I consistently have done that. I met with the Dalai Lama last year... I have condemned human rights abuses before, not just now."

In order for Daly's resolution to become law, Newsom would have to sign it within 10 days. If vetoed by the mayor, the board could overturn the veto with the same eight votes that approved the resolution Tuesday.

A third possibility could allow the mayor not to weigh in at all -- or at least offer tacit disapproval -- since his 10-day signing window ends April 11, two days after the torch relay.

On a side note, San Francisco still maintains a Sister City relationship with Shanghai, China.

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