Actor Richard Gere, known as “Hollywood’s most outspoken Buddhist,” joined the protests centered around the Olympic torch in San Francisco today. He is encouraging people to act peacefully.

Thirty-seven people were arrested as Olympic torch-bearers attempted to proceed through France on this leg of the torch’s journey to China. The final leg of the relay, through Paris, was cancelled after activists tried on several occasions to grab the torch, douse it with water, and stop the procession from continuing.