Angry protests as torch reaches London

LONDON, England (CNN) -- The Olympic torch was met with widespread protests and scuffles between demonstrators and police Sunday as thousands turned out to protest Olympic host China's human rights record and its recent clampdown on Tibet.

Some demonstrators threw themselves at the torch, and at least one tried to snatch it away. Another tried to put out the flame with a fire extinguisher. They were quickly pushed back and cuffed by Metropolitan Police, which said its officers made 36 arrests on a variety of charges.

The protests in London underscored the security concerns for the torch relay, which arrives in Paris on Monday.

An estimated 3,000 French police are expected to protect the Olympic torch relay Monday as it departs from the Eiffel Tower and crisscrosses Paris amid threat of protests, the Associated Press reported.

In London on Sunday, Police Cmdr. Jo Kaye said officers took "appropriate and proportionate action" against demonstrators who tried to prevent the torch from making its way.

"A fire extinguisher was used in a crowded place, and objects thrown at our officers and the torchbearers, which is clearly dangerous for everyone," Kaye said in a written statement.

"Based on this, our officers had to make an immediate assessment when faced with people attempting to jump into the way of the torch or making a grab for the torchbearers. Not knowing the levels of possible violence or determination that they would face, officers had to act swiftly and robustly."

Security was increased in several areas, with about 2,000 officers out on the streets.

At one point in Sunday's 48-kilometer (31-mile) relay, about 100 demonstrators "attempted to surround the torch and torch bearer," police said in a statement. The torch bearer was moved back onto the bus to "complete that stage on the vehicle." Watch supporters, opponents of the Beijing Olympics show up at the London leg of the torch relay »

A Beijing Olympic spokesman condemned "attempts to sabotage" the relay, according to China's state-run Xinhua news agency. The official was not named in the article.

China has come under international criticism because of its crackdown last month on protesters calling for democratic freedoms and self-rule in Tibet and neighboring Chinese provinces.

The protests have been timed to coincide with the run-up to the Summer Olympic Games in Beijing in August. Look at a map of the international torch relay route »

"The Olympic torch should not be going through Tibet while Tibet is under occupation," protester Simon Cook said Sunday in London. "People are protesting for their freedom, they don't have the freedom to say anything. If they even say that they like the Dalai Lama they can be put in prison, they can be tortured, they can be shot."

Chinese authorities have denied these kinds of allegations and have accused the Dalai Lama of instigating violence among his followers -- an allegation he rejects. U.S. and other Western leaders have called on China to provide civil rights and freedoms to those in Tibet and to enter peaceful discussions aimed at resolving the crisis.

The torch completed its relay at an arena in North Greenwich. Jiang Xiaoyu, executive vice president of the Beijing Organizing Committee, faced some heckling as he spoke at the ceremony and expressed "sincere thanks to the British Olympic Association and the municipal government and people of London."

Many of Sunday's demonstrators chanted "Free Tibet" and held signs with messages such as "Stop the Killing in Tibet." The group Tibetan Youth Association Europe said three of its members were among those arrested. Watch a gallery of the torch relay in London »

Other protesters focused on the communist nation's lack of civil and religious freedoms and its policies on Darfur. And still more turned out in counter-protests, chanting "China, China" and saying they support China as host of this year's summer Olympics.

In most cases, however, the torch passed without incident. Tessa Jowell, Britain's Olympics minister, called it "a demanding day for the police" and for the Beijing Organizing Committee, but also noted thousands had come out "to welcome the torch." Watch a report on the torch's journey, Jowell's comments »

Organizers restructured part of the route after protesters gathered in large numbers where China's ambassador to the United Kingdom, Fu Ying, was expected to carry the torch. Fu instead carried it through part of Chinatown.

Jowell said she hoped events Sunday in London "will put pressure on the Chinese government to enter into dialogue with the Dalai Lama." She said the demonstrations also send the message "that peaceful protests are part of democratic expression."

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said last week he would not give in to calls to boycott the relay.

"I think we've got to bear in mind that although there's a huge amount of controversy now surrounding the Olympics because of what's been happening in Tibet, the Dalai Lama himself has made it clear he doesn't want there to be a boycott of the Olympics," Brown told reporters. E-mail to a friend

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