Tibetan protesters scale Golden Gate Bridge

Three people protesting China's human rights record and impending arrival of the Olympic torch, climb up San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge and tie the Tibetan flag and two banners to its cables.

Three people protesting China's human rights record and the impending arrival of the Olympic torch climbed up San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge and tied the Tibetan flag and two banners to its cables.

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The banners read "One World One Dream. Free Tibet" and "Free Tibet 08."

The protesters wore helmets and harnesses as they made their way up the cables running next to the south tower of the famed span. The climb had the group suspended several 150 feet (45 meters) above traffic on Monday.

Reached by cell phone as he dangled from the bridge, demonstrator Laurel Sutherlin said he was worried that the torch's planned route through Tibet would lead to more arrests and Chinese officials would use force to stifle any visible dissent.

"The leaders of China have said they'll maintain order at all costs, and we know what that means - bloodshed and violent oppression," he said. "If the IOC allows the torch to proceed into Tibet they'll have blood on their hands."

The organisers behind yesterday's action said they will remain faithful to their mission of protesting without violence when the torch relay takes place today in San Francisco, the only North American stop.