Olympic Torch Protesters Scale Golden Gate Bridge

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS 5 / KCBS / AP / BCN) - Three people protesting China’s human rights record and the impending arrival of the Beijing Olympic torch climbed up the Golden Gate Bridge Monday and tied the Tibetan flag and two banners to its cables.

The banners read “One World, One Dream. Free Tibet” and “Free Tibet ‘08.”

One of the climbers was 30-year-old Laurel Sutherlin of Sausalito. Speaking to CBS 5 live via his cell phone while dangling from a bridge cable, Sutherlin said he and his fellow climbers were urging the International Olympic Committee to ask China not to allow the torch to go through Tibet.

Sutherlin said he was worried that the torch’s planned route through Tibet would lead to more arrests and Chinese officials would use force to stifle dissent.

“The leaders of China have said they’ll maintain order at all costs, and we know what that means — bloodshed and violent oppression,” he said. “If the IOC allows the torch to proceed into Tibet they’ll have blood on their hands.” Olympic Torch Protesters Scale Golden Gate Bridge

[thanks AS]