Right now there are three people climbing on the cables of the Golden Gate bridge (on the Marin side) in an apparent attempt to hang a Tibetan sign in protest of the torch run through San Francisco.
Check our webcam for a live look at the action.UPDATE:
We have live chopper footage available for the time being as well.UPDATE #2: Man, I have to say: Is San Francisco ready to get its protest on or what? If people are taking to the cables of the Golden Gate bridge two days before the actual event, then what awaits us on Wednesday? They just might burn this mother down, Pookie.
UDPATE #3: The Golden Gate Bridge is now closed to pedestrians until further notice.
UPDATE #4: Do you hear that sound? It's pretty overwhelming. It's the sound of the rest of the country collectively rolling their eyes.
UPDATE #5: More information from CBS 5:The protesters are wearing helmets and one of is carrying a suitcase
with him. All three of the protesters are tethered together.
One of them has unfurled a Tibetan flag, witnesses said.
The California Highway Patrol has detained several people on the walkway near the protest.
One northbound lane of the bridge is closed due to demonstrators who are climbing the poles of the bridge, according to the CHP.
The bridge's sergeant's office reported that northbound traffic is backed up in the area.
The incident was reported to the CHP about 10:25 a.m., CHP Officer Tracy Hoover said.
The
Olympic torch is scheduled to make its way through the streets of San
Francisco on Wednesday. San Francisco is the only location in North
America that is hosting the torch relay.
UPDATE #6: Banners have been unfurled on the bridge by the protesters. They read, respectively, "One World; One Dream: Free Tibet" and "Free Tibet '08." According to the SFist
Students for a Free Tibet are have claimed responsibility for the act.
UPDATE: #7: They've closed one lane to traffic, but I love how, otherwise, traffic on the bridge is moving along nicely. SF commuters barely notice: "Oh look, kids on the cables with giant signs. Another day, another protest," then they tool right along as if it ain't no thang.
UDPATE #8: Four people have been detained by police at the site of the Golden Gate Bridge protests.
UPDATE #9: Okay, finally traffic has been affected. Vehicles are moving very slowly coming onto the bridge from both directions.
UPDATE #10: Workers are moving in toward the protesters in sky boxes in an attempt to cut down the banners put up by protesters.
UPDATE #11: (12:55 p.m.): Protesters have come down from the cables of the bridge and are currently being arrested.
[Photo via SFist Flickr account.]
