What do you think of the torch protest?

Protesters are trying to disrupt the journey of the Olympic torch through London.

They're protesting over the human rights record of China, where the 2008 Olympics will be held.

Lots of them are particularly unhappy about the situation in Tibet, which is under China's control and where there has been lots of violence recently.

So we wondered what you thought about this.

Is it right to use a sporting event to highlight a political problem?

Do you support the protesters or do you think there would be a better way for them to get their point across?

Have you been part of the protest or what have you been thinking if you've watched it on TV?

Unfortunately this topic is now closed but there are Comments pages on other subjects on the main Chat index.

Your comments

"I think the protesters were wrong to disrupt the Olympic torch journey and should find some other way to get China's attention about Tibet."

Curtis, 12, Birmingham, England

"I think the protesters should shout out loud with their thoughts on the torch's journey. Violence is not a good action though. We should vote on where the torch goes!"

Layla, 10, London, England

"The protesters can protest, but to use a fire extinguisher, jump on a former Blue Peter presenter and snatch the torch - that is barbaric. I can't believe it."

Thomas, 11, Suffolk, England

"I don't think it's fair. They are ruining it for everybody else. Everyone will say they are entitled to their own opinion like we are though."

Angel, 11, Devon, England

"I think it is just a torch and someone will get hurt, so put it out."

Amelia, 10, Durham, England

"I think it's fair that the protesters had their say, but they did kind of ruin it!"

Victoria, 9, Dorset, England

"I think it is alright to protest about the torch. But DON'T hurt the people holding it, it is not right!"

Emily, 10, Hull, England

"Tibetans have human rights, they should be able to speak out without fear of punishment. The protesters should try to give their points of view through discussion rather than violence."

Ellen, 9, Cornwall, England

"I think that politics should be kept out of sporting events and they should be happy about the Olympics and not protesting."

Megan,10, Plymouth, England

"I think that it is really unfair that they should wreck the Olympics. I think they're right to protest, but now is not the time."

Alex, 11, Cambridge, England

"Why are they ruining the Olympics? It only happens every four years, stop it!"

Melissa, 12, Portsmouth, England

"I think they should forget the torch and just get on with the Olympics. But if it carries on, cancel this one."

Ciaan, 11, Kent, England

"I think the protesters should be less violent in their protests but I support their cause."

Michael, 12, Glasgow, Scotland

"I think that people should protest because it is not fair that only a few people get a say in this. However, I also think that the protesters should respect the fact that it is a tradition and so should everyone else."

James, 10, Lincolnshire, England

"I feel that China is an interesting place to have the Olympic games, but I think some people have got a point about rewarding the country for doing bad things."

Kate, 9, Cardiff, Wales

"I think people should speak out for what they believe in so their shouts can be heard. I think police shouldn't arrest people just because they're against something!"

Emily, 11, Hertfordshire, England

"Personally I think that the Olympics should just be in Athens, Greece, as it originated there and that might stop the protesting."

Josh, 12, Sheffield, England

"I think it is silly to take the torch off people because you could burn them."

Jordan, 7, Kent, England

"I think we should protest against the torch. The Olympics should not be held in China because of their human rights record."

Elecktra, 11, Worcestershire, England

"I think it is ridiculous. Tibet should be nothing to do with the Olympics."

Edward, 12, Merseyside, England

"I think it's a really clever way to grab everyone's attention but they shouldn't try taking the flame, there's just no point."

Rory, 10, West Yorkshire, England

"I do feel sorry for the people of Tibet but they're causing riots and England hasn't done anything."

Jessye, 10, Manchester, England

"It's a celebration not a wrestling match. All those who protest should be punished."

Eleanor, 9, Cambridge, England

"I feel really sorry for the runners. It must be really annoying when it's your big moment with the torch, and then all these protesters come in and ruin it."

Cara, 12, Glasgow, Scotland

"I think that sports and politics should be kept separate because sport is there to enjoy. The protests are ok but not when they get out of hand and disrupt the torch ceremony. However, I think the Olympic bosses shouldn't have allowed China to host the Olympics if they're treating their people so badly."

Louis, 12, London, England

"I think we should protest about the state of affairs in Tibet but there is a time and a place."

Katie, 13, Manchester, England

"What we don't get is why did they try to snatch the torch anyway? It is just stupid because they probably knew that they would get arrested."

Francesca & Gabrielle, 10 & 9, Bolton, England

"I think people should stop protesting. If they want to protest they should do it in a different way and at a different time."

Lucy, 10, Hexham, England

"We reckon everyone should have a say, but it's unfair on the people who look forward to events like this because it only happens once every four years."

Rachael & Megan, 11 & 12, Essex, England

"I'm half and half over this. The protesters should stay at the sidelines though and not grab the torch like the man did. I think China should not have been allowed to host the Olympics in the first place."

Sarah, 12, Essex, England

"They should protest, but the way they did it was foolish. Nobody will listen to them if they do silly things like that. They should have just done a quiet demonstration."

Owen, 13, Birmingham, England

"Well, China won the votes for the Olympics so I think that it is extremely unfair if we take it away from them. Also, why did Gordon Brown have to hold the torch, he isn't a sports man."

Rahila, 11, London, England

"I think China should free Tibet but its ridiculous to ruin the torch's journey."

Meg, 11, Bury, England

"I don't think it is right because politics is crazy and using the most wonderful sporting event in history to highlight political views. It's just plain wrong!"

Oakley, 9, Portsmouth, England

"Shame on the protesters. The Olympics have nothing to do with politics. What they are doing is just breaking the Olympic tradition."

Scott, 12, Arnhem, Holland

"I think, judging by the amount of protests around the world, China should never have been allowed to have the Olympic games in the first place."

Georgina, 11, Middlesex, England

"I think they should get their point across in a different way because they are ruining other people's fun."

Megan, 10, Bristol, England

"I feel really sorry for Konnie Huq. I'm so angry! The Olympics only come around once every four years so why don't we just enjoy them! We shouldn't have to have protesters!"

Duncan, 12, Surrey, England

"It is not right because there are young competitors and some of the younger and older generations are watching. What is going on in Tibet is indeed wrong but the Olympic games celebrate achievement. Holding the games SOMEWHERE ELSE should be seriously considered."

Francesca, 13, West Midlands, England

"The protesters are being unfair, it is the wrong place to protest."

Katy, 12, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland

"Yes China's human rights record is very bad, but we let them hold the Olympic games. If we didn't want them to have it we shouldn't have picked them in the first place. Also, the Olympics is just a bit of fun for countries to have together, protesting is wrong."

Amy, 13, Cambridge, England

"I think it is really bad. The Olympic games should be about a nation coming together, supporting each other, and harmony in the world."

Robyn, 12, Devon, England

"If so much trouble is caused, just carry the Olympic torch away from the public so it doesn't cause disruption. It's just a safer way to get on the with the games."

Isabelle, 10, Surrey, England

"I hate the way that people bring politics into sport. The Olympics is just a bit of fun!"

Abs, 14, Bristol, England

"I think that protesters can protest by complaining, not using actions. It's not fair that other countries have to suffer."

Bethany, 11, Bournemouth, England

"I think this is really bad, I feel really sorry for Konnie. The police should do more about this."

Llinos-Wyn, 10, Cardiff

"I kind of want to encourage the protesters but I think they shouldn't wreck the Olympics."

Demi, 10, London

"I think they are right about the Chinese government, but they don't have to spoil the fun for everyone else. I mean, I was in the carnival and around the corner at the time and someone tried to do something to the torch then. In all I think they shouldn't spoil the fun for everyone else."

Louise, 10, London

"I feel really sad how people are taking this. It's getting very out of hand. This is not PEACEFUL at all."

Angel, 8, Surrey

"China deserve to be humiliated because of the way they've been running Tibet, but doing it like this is definitely the wrong choice."

Shahina, 14, Oldham

"I think that people have a right to protest but I don't think that they should include the Olympics in it. The way they chose the Olympics is fair and I don't think they should change the venue just because of Tibet."

Venetia, 10, Gillingham

"I went to the torch relay and it was awful. At St Paul's Cathedral we waited an hour and finally a boy came with a torch that wasn't lit. Overall, the relay was not worth it. However, I agree with the protests but the Olympics shouldn't be affected."

Zainab, 13, Greenford

"I think protesting is a fantastic idea and protesting about Tibet, putting the Olympics under threat is a genius way to get heard. It's something people will really want to stop. China will get embarrassed if it carries on."

Harriet, 13, Ryde

"It's ridiculous. Who would do such a thing to Connie? Connie is famous."

Ramiz, 10, London

"I think it should be a political protest as I feel sorry for the Tibetans. We should do something about it even if it does mean going into war."

Dharaa, 11, Cambridge

"These protesters have a right to express their opinions and China is doing some awful things to Tibet."

Miuccia, 13, London

"I think this protesting is silly. I know about the killing in Tibet and all that, but interrupting the run of the Olympic torch is silly. The Olympics is to bring the whole world together for a bit of fun."

Samantha, 13, Brighouse

"I think these demonstrators have a right to protest. The police should let them have their say by letting them walk behind the torch. I don't think China should hold the games this year, they should be cancelled."

Rachel, 12, Northumberland

"I think the protesters are trying to stop the Beijing Olympics."

Daniel, 9, Ilford

"I think it's horrible what China is doing to Tibet. They should be a free country. The protesters should let the torch travel in peace because they are targeting innocent people and celebrities."

Robyn, 13, London

"I'm mixed on this...while I think it is important to highlight the problems in China (which I care about), I'm not sure this is the way to do it."

Izzy, 15, Manchester