SAN FRANCISCO, California (CNN) -- Heavy security surrounded runners taking part in the controversial Olympic torch relay in San Francisco Wednesday, as the threat of violent protests prompted officials to make dramatic last-minute changes.


Chinese swimmer Lin Lee shows the Olympic Torch Wednesday in San Francisco.

The torch was lit in a short ceremony at AT&T Park in front of hundreds of pro-Chinese supporters who waved Chinese, American and Olympic flags.

But from the park, the runners, accompanied by Chinese security forces, went into a security warehouse and the torch disappeared from public view for about 45 minutes.

Vehicles were later seen leaving the building. Watch the lighting ceremony »

The torch was driven to a nearby neighborhood, where the runners began the relay.

Dozens of police and security team members flanked the runners and took "very decisive" action when protesters tried to get close to the torch, CNN's Thelma Gutierrez reported.





Activists are in town from both camps: people who believe the Olympics should not be held in China and those who support the event.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/04/09/torch. ... index.html

Weird,Chinese paramilitary police patrolling the streets of America.