Early this week, the olympic torch was on tour in Paris, ahead of the official opening of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China this August. But for much of its journey from the Eiffel Tower to the Charlety sports stadium at the city's southern tip, the flame was kept inside a bus and surrounded by guards. Why all the fuss? Thousands of activists protesting China's recent crackdown on dissident Tibetan monks convened in Paris to attempt to snuff out the olympic flame-- and show their opposition to Beijing hosting this year's games. Paris considers itself the capital of human rights-- and flew a banner saying so at its city hall. In response, Chinese officials called off an official reception scheduled in honor of the games Monday and has stated that foreign critique of its Tibetan policy is unwelcome.

As a city that has always prided itself on its vibrant capacity to draw citizens into the street for any number of causes, Paris isn't likely to let the Chinese government's scolding snuff out the pro-Tibet movement here any time soon. Many French politicians are even calling for an all-out boycott of the Olympic Games unless China agrees to sit down with Tibet's exiled leader the Dalai Lama and open negotiations.

Is such a boycott justified? Please speak your mind below.