But by 2004 the Americans were there behind the walls of fortified urban bases, behind concrete barriers and gigantic sandbags at armed checkpoints, blocking traffic, and closing thoroughfares.
But closing the thoroughfare would limit access if emergencies arose elsewhere in the city.
"They have the power, and we don't have anything," said Rida Qabbani, 24, who joined scores of marauding youths trying to close a thoroughfare in the capital with trash bins.
The team received a send-off before its trip to the regionals, with three blocks of the main Woods thoroughfare closed for an auxiliary police-escorted parade.
At the Boot Hill Saloon on Main Street, a thoroughfare closed to all traffic except motorcycles during Bike Week, Gary Gehris says that most of the several thousand people who fill up his bar and parking lot from 9 A.M. to 3 A.M. are older, mellower and friendlier than ever.
On Sundays, however, the city closes several thoroughfares, making it the best time to ride a bike here.
SAN FRANCISCO — Commuters driving into this city on Monday morning will discover major downtown thoroughfares closed.
Page A26 Business CONVENTION FOR ORACLE ENGULFS SAN FRANCISCO Commuters driving into San Francisco will discover major downtown thoroughfares closed.
The main thoroughfare is closed to traffic and is jammed with concessions hawking crafts, antiques, clothing, jewelry and foods.
The Fourth Avenue Bridge, a major thoroughfare now closed for good, dipped in the center of the span and crumbled at the edges.
Stores on Newbury Street, Boston's busy retail thoroughfare, were closed, and tables on the patio at Stephanie's, a restaurant there, were still covered in dishes left there on Monday.
