SAN FRANCISCO -- Away from the noise of San Francisco's block party-style protests, one Burmese monk, his mocha colored robes flapping at his ankles, quietly walked under the pillars of the Golden Gate Bridge.


Ashin Nanikabhivamasa, a Burmese native now living in Fremont, led about 300 marchers across the bridge and into the city to protest the Olympic torch's North American stop.

The span-wide walk was mostly silent. Nanikabhivamasa meditated. Others sang the Burmese anthem and quietly chanted pro-Tibet poems.

All spoke of Burma, ignoring its new name Myanmar, as they addressed the oppression they feel from a military government.

"Stand with you, walk with you, dream with you, Burma," they said.

Burmese watched the throng of CHP and San Francisco police officers closely, habits born from fears in their homeland. Judson Tun, 22, formerly of Rangoon, said he took part in another protest of the Burmese government in Rangoon last September. It turned violent when protesters clashed with state police.

"I'm nervous, even now for my family," Tun said. "In Burma, there is no freedom where there is China."

The march was organized by the Buddhist Peace Fellowship and the Burma-America Democratic Alliance. They each oppose the military rule of Burma.

"Today is a perfect day to talk about this," said Zenju Earthlyn Manuel, executive director of the Buddhist Peace Fellowship.

"The Olympic Games are symbolic of unity. And we are coming together to bring fire to this issue."

The march was peaceful, with no incidents or disturbances along the bridge. But the marchers took up the entire sidewalk as they spanned the bridge on the east side, frustrating tourists and others there simply to enjoy the view.

You can reach Staff Writer Laura Norton at 521-5220 or laura.norton@pressdemocrat.com.