SAN FRANCISCO -- A total of seven people were arrested Monday after three pro-Tibet activists scaled the Golden Gate Bridge and hung banners in protest of the Beijing Olympic torch relay coming to San Francisco Wednesday.

Three demonstrators climbed the towers of the Golden Gate Bridge at about 10:30 a.m., and draped banners on the bridge that read "One World, One Dream, Free Tibet 08."

According to the California Highway Patrol, the protestors were located on the east side of the bridge, just south of the south tower.

CHP officers were dispatched to the bridge and arrested four protestors on the east sidewalk who were assisting the climbers. The climbers then communicated with officials and told them they would come down after they finished putting up the banners, CHP said.

After about an hour, Golden Gate Bridge personnel hoisted two bridge workers up the cables, partially cut down the banners and removed other equipment used by the protestors by 2:20 p.m. The three climbing protestors then voluntarily climbed down and were also arrested.

The incident temporarily shut down one lane of bridge traffic and the sidewalk. The sidewalk reopened for bikes but will remain closed to foot traffic through Tuesday morning, according to bridge officials.

Reached by cell phone as he dangled from the bridge, demonstrator Laurel Sutherlin said he was worried that the torch's planned route through Tibet would lead to more arrests and Chinese officials would use force to stifle dissent.

"The leaders of China have said they'll maintain order at all costs, and we know what that means -- bloodshed and violent oppression," he said. "If the IOC allows the torch to proceed into Tibet they'll have blood on their hands."

The bridge protest's organizers said they'll remain faithful to their mission of protesting without violence when the torch relay takes place Wednesday here, its only North American stop, despite the disruptive action on the Golden Gate.

They said they wanted to take full advantage of the moment in the international spotlight to get their message out.

"This is a life or death situation for Tibetans," said Yangchen Lhamo, an organizer of Monday's banner hanging who is on the board of directors of Students for a Free Tibet.

On Monday night, officers set up a checkpoint on the Marin County side of the bridge. Officers were inspecting backpacks and bags of all bicyclists crossing into the city.

The California Highway Patrol staff say they are investigating the bridge security. They plan to examine whether there can be additional measure to prevent future incidents like Monday's protest.

"We're going to evaluate the situation which took place today along with the Golden Gate Bridge Security and see exactly how that occured," said Trent Cross, spokesman for the California Highway Patrol.

Bridge officials say the climbers walked onto the bridge with their climbing gear disguised.

"It was reported to me that they transported their suitcase and gear in a baby carriage, possibly two, I'm not sure, right down to the baby blanket and looking like normal visitors," said Mary Currie, spokeswoman for the Golden Gate Bridge District.

Currie says that bridge staff did spot the protestors, but decided not to engage in a direct confrontation.

"I wouldn't have couched this as undetected," said Mary Currie, the Golden Gate Bridge District spokeswoman. "It was a beautiful day. There were a lot of visitors out there in the sidewalk...it's a 1.7 mile sidewalk. We do have cameras in place, however we can't monitor every square inch or every square foot of the bridge at all times."

Currie added that the Bridge District has made many security improvements over the years including the addition of motion sensors, new fencing and lighting.

The torch's path around the globe already has been marked by protests against China's policies toward Tibet, Sudan, Myanmar and Chinese dissidents, such as practitioners of Falun Gong.

In Paris, organizers canceled the final leg of the Olympic run after chaotic protests, snuffing out the torch and putting it aboard a bus.

Rallies, vigils and news conferences related to the torch's arrival have taken place in San Francisco almost daily for the past several weeks. More are planned over the next two days in anticipation of the relay.

About 80 torchbearers will carry the flame on a six-mile route along the San Francisco Bay.

On Monday, government and law enforcement conferred in last-minute preparations to keep rallies under control.

City leaders watched events around the world to develop a plan striking a balance between protesters' rights to express their views and San Francisco's ability to host a safe torch ceremony on Wednesday.

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom and the police department said they reserved the right to adjust the flame's route if necessary. The air space above the city will be restricted during the relay, a federal aviation spokesman said. Firefighters will have extra staff and ambulances along the relay route in case of emergencies.

Nathan Ballard, a spokesman for Newsom, dismissed rumors that the relay would be canceled. Newsom met with Chinese Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong on Monday afternoon to discuss security measures for the relay, Ballard said.

"It was a good meeting and they discussed their shared desire to try to limit the kind of chaos that we have seen in London and Paris," he said.

USOC Chairman Peter Ueberroth said in a statement the event was "an important moment for the city to show its character, hospitality and commitment to peace and tolerance."

"It must provide a proper forum for the peaceful expression of opinions and dissent. And it must safely and respectfully welcome the flame and honor the U.S. athletes and other participants who will carry the torch," Ueberroth said.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who did not plan to attend the torch ceremony, said he defended protesters' right to "show how displeased they are with what China is doing with Tibet," but does not support a boycott of the games' opening ceremony in China.

"Sports should not be used in order to go and start to do diplomacy," he said.

In spite of preparations, the tumult around flame has left one of the torchbearers worried.

Lorri Coppola, a champion racewalker whose body is being slowly shut down by Lou Gehrig's disease, or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, has met with the Dalai Lama in the past, and understands the protesters' motives.

"They are doing it in the free countries because they know what might happen should they try to protest in China!" she wrote by e-mail, as the disease has cost her the ability to speak.

But ALS has left her weak, and she's afraid of getting hurt if activists are out of control.

"I am concerned about my safety as I am not as strong as others due to ALS," she wrote. "To create damage to property or danger to other people is just as bad as the human rights violations they are protesting."