The story

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.

Plans to hold a waterfront closing ceremony were abruptly canceled.

Thousands of people who had gathered at Justin Herman Park to watch, to support China or to protest China's record on human rights and its crackdown in Tibet began leaving the site. Read full article »

CNN's Ted Rowlands and Xiaoni Chen contributed to this report.

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