Here Comes the Flame

What are you doing to ensure the safety of both those planning to cheer and those attending to jeer?
The good news is that this is a city that sees protests of some scale almost on a weekly basis. The key here is to accommodate everybody: to accommodate those that are there to celebrate the spirit of the Olympics, removing any politics from the torch relay, and to secure the safety and comfort of those who wish to protest, and see this as a political opportunity. We're trying to balance both, and we've made it clear that this should be done peacefully and respectfully.

Do you fear that the protests are going to get out of hand?
By no means are we naive nor are we foolhardy to not know that conditions could dramatically change. We will watch the other cities [receiving the torch] to see what happens, and that will play a role. What happened in Athens a week ago [where the relay was cut short due to concerns about protesters interrupting the ceremony] precipitated the reduction in the size of our route. After that we said, "Let's really simplify it." I have to keep people safe and secure, protesters and participants, without letting this become a police state. I don't want to see people in riot gear; I don't want to see helicopters overhead. I want people to be out there on all sides. Disagree, but don't be disagreeable.

Are you concerned that the event will end up being an international embarrassment for the city?
It would only be an embarrassment if we didn't put our all into it, only if we look back and say, "Coulda, shoulda, woulda." We're taking this very seriously. We recognize we're the only city in North America to host the torch, and we recognize the responsibility. If something—God forbid—occurs that we could never have anticipated, I can look back and say we did everything in our power to accommodate safety and security and balance people's rights and privileges on all sides. It's important for us to show the world that we can protest but we can be respectful. That's the ultimate expression of freedom: accepting someone else's right to express a difference. That's America, and that's a great thing. That's why I disagree with the people who say don't let the torch come into our city, because everyone has a right to free expression.

© 2008