"We are doing our best but it will take the world to put pressure on China to help bring democracy and human rights to Tibet," said Phurbu Dolker, a 21-year-old Tibetan refugee.
The scenes were reminiscent of the protests that hit the torch's passage through London on Sunday, with the build up to the Beijing Olympics rapidly becoming a public relations disaster for the Chinese organisers.
Mayor Bernard Delanoe told reporters the Chinese had cancelled a planned reception for the torch at Paris city hall at the last minute after a banner supporting human rights was hung from the facade of the building.
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