Woman falls from consulate in Olympics protest SAN FRANCISCO Free Tibet group claims her ropes had been severed

A rappelling protester fell two stories from the roof of the Chinese Consulate in San Francisco Wednesday, two days before the Olympic Games begin in Beijing and amid worldwide protest against China's human rights record in Tibet.

San Francisco police and the State Department are conducting a joint investigation into the incident, including claims that the protester's ropes may have been intentionally cut.

The protester was identified as Nyendak Wangden, 22, of Suisun City and a member of Students for a Free Tibet. She was taken via ambulance to San Francisco General Hospital where she was in stable condition. Students for a Free Tibet released a statement Wednesday afternoon saying Wangden had fractured a wrist and a bone in her forearm.

Defa Tong, a spokesman for the Chinese Consulate, said questions about whether the ropes were cut should be directed to police. He said media attention should be focused instead at the unlawful action of the two protesters invading Chinese territory.

"Their action is really a violation and an infringement of Chinese sovereignty," he said. "This is unbearable to any country, to any people."

The incident began shortly after 8 a.m., when about two dozen protesters converged on the consulate building at Geary Boulevard and Laguna Street. Most of them stood across the street while three women chained themselves to two ornamental lions on either side of the wooden front door and carried a sign reading, "Tibetans are dying for freedom!"

Above them, Wangden rappelled a few feet down from the rooftop wearing a harness, wrapped herself in a black cape and hood and was suspended on ropes in a hangman-like position. Onlookers then heard a shriek and a thud, and Wangden was lying on a balcony two stories below.

Another protester, Brihannala Morgan, 26, of Oakland, was on the rooftop assisting Wangden. She was later arrested and shouted "They cut the ropes!" before being driven away in a police car.

Wangden was also arrested, while the three women in chains cut themselves free and were not detained, police said.

After the fall, part of a blue rope hung over the rooftop. Yellow police tape was strung around the scene and several police officers were on hand. Police Sgt. Wilfred Williams said investigators have not determined whether Wangden's rope was cut.

"I can't say that is accurate," he said. "That's why we're conducting an investigation - to see what happened."

The protest was part of the Global Day of Action around the world to protest China's treatment of Tibet, which the Chinese government claimed sovereignty over in 1950.

"We're trying to shine a light on that," said Tenzin Seldon, 19, one of the protesters.

More events are scheduled in the Bay Area in coming days, including a march today that is scheduled to proceed from the Civic Center to the consulate.

Tong condemned local police for not doing more to protect the building. He said the consulate has asked for security repeatedly.

"We believe the American side should hold responsibility for this incident," he said. "We've expressed our strong dissatisfaction (with the police)."