3 climb Golden Gate to protest Tibet

SAN FRANCISCO, April 7 (UPI) -- Demonstrators intent on drawing attention to Chinese actions in Tibet scaled the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco Monday, unfurling a banner, officials said.

The three climbers were members of Students for a Free Tibet and their action comes just two days before the Olympic torch is to make its San Francisco stop -- the only stop in North America -- en route to Beijing, where the Summer Olympics will be held in August.

The banner read: "One World, One Dream, Free Tibet 08," the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

The action coincided with demonstrations in Paris that forced suspension of the torch's journey through city streets.

Mary Currie, a spokeswoman for the Golden Gate Bridge district, said the banner would be cut down by iron workers. Five activists who did not scale the bridge were detained, Currie said.

Further protests were scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday.