We'll see ... they're not all naked hippies.
Apparently they might as well have been. One of the amusing ironies of American politics is the left is constantly using tactics at which they are truly terrible. I'm reminded of the difference between “antiwar†protestors and Ben Mitchell in Enemies Foreign and Domestic
As has been said, the Chinese probably picked SF because with the possible exception of Washington, DC its the American city where they have the most influence and control. So there's a good chance that this wouldn't have worked there because you'd probably need a source in the PD to provide route information, etc.:
The first thing you do is neutralize the disorganized left. Start the movement to simply turn their backs as the torch goes by, wearing Tibetan flags on their backs or waving them. This will keep them occupied and out of the way.
Then the first step is to select an appropriate target. The torch is the symbol of the Olympics, which are not the problem. The problem is the Red Chinese. They also provide a convenient target¦six or seven of them, in powder blue running suits.
However, these guys are military police. Taking them down will require planning, organization, and a number of guys with the proper training who don't mind an extended encounter with the legal system as long as they have the support of at least a large part of the American people, perhaps even the majority.
Planning, timing, and execution are key. Ideally, the torch carrier is a sleeper or at least a loyal American who will go along with this. Outnumber these guys maybe 3-1 and hit them with stun guns, pepper spray, handcuffs, whatever: immobilize and incapacitate them but do not use lethal force or weapons to do so. That's tempting considering who they are and what they represent, but it's counterproductive.
Then replace them with new escorts in historical American (don't use current military uniforms as that becomes a diversion issue) and makeshift Tibetan attire, perhaps with American and Tibetan flags. Calm down the torch carrier if necessary and continue the procession, with a new escort. The worst case scenario isn't all that bad¦the cops detain the new escorts and provide their own. American cops, in uniforms that include American flags (in SF?).
This completely wrecks the Chinese propaganda and embarrasses the hell out of them and their American allies. Done right, it also provides notice to them regarding American will and incidentally embarrases the American left as ineffective at their own game.
-Eric