BEIJING, Aug. 6 (UPI) -- Beijing police say they have expelled four western protesters for displaying "Free Tibet" banners near the Olympic venues.
Two Americans and two Brits were expected to leave China by Thursday.
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A Chinese policeman stands guard in front of the " Bird's Nest " National Stadium where rehearsals are taking place, August 5, 2008, in Beijing, China. The opening ceremonies of the Beijing Summer Olympics will take place there, amid heightened security August 8. (UPI Photo/Mike Theiler) | License Photo
China's Xinhua news agency said the protesters had unfurled their signs around dawn Wednesday on an overpass near the National Stadium and were ordered to leave by police who were on the scene 12 minutes later.
Earlier in the day, four Americans were kicked out of Tiananmen Square after a 30-minute protest against abortion.
Tibet has been a hot-button issue surrounding the Olympics, which get under way in full next week. Xinhua said Beijing's Olympic committee called the Tibet protest an attempt to politicize the games and urged foreign visitors to comply with Chinese law.
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- China's Xinhua
