Here’s why the Golden Gate Bridge, I-880 shut down
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — On Monday, passionate protesters stood in the middle of San Francisco’s orange vermilion Golden Gate Bridge holding black and white banners reading, “End the siege on Gaza now!” and “Stop the world for Gaza.”
Throngs of protesters rapidly formed blockades on the Golden Gate and Interstate 880 in Oakland before law enforcement officers could stop them. Traffic gridlocked for miles while activists chanted, “Not another nickel, not another dime. No more money for Israel’s crimes.”
Protester organizer Ellen Caminiti sent KRON4 a detailed summary of why activists locked themselves together on the Golden Gate. Their primary demand is for the United States government to end all support of “Israel’s genocide in Palestine,” Caminiti wrote.
Activists cut off traffic flows as part of a coordinated “Global Economic Blockade in Solidarity with Palestine,” according to Caminiti. “This action is in response to a global call to disrupt parts of the economy in solidarity with Palestine. Every year, the U.S. sends $3.8 billion in American tax dollars to Israel. Bay Area residents are demanding that Biden and the US government stop arming and funding Israel,” Caminiti wrote.
Golden Gate Bridge traffic blocked by protest
Israel’s six-month war against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip erupted after Hamas carried out a devastating cross-border attack on Oct. 7 that killed 1,200 people in Israel and kidnapped others. As the war in Gaza continues, Palestinians are experiencing widespread famine and displacement.
Some of the protesters in the Bay Area are Palestinian, including a woman who identified herself as Neena.
Neena wrote to KRON4, “We are here advocating for the people of Palestine. The disastrous humanitarian crisis in Gaza is a direct result of US political, financial, and military aid to the terror state of Israel. Elected officials don’t want to listen, and think they can turn a blind eye to the chaos they’re creating just to line their pockets. They have forced us into this position. They have forced us to take to the streets and do everything in our power to save the Palestinians from America. We are dedicated towards the liberation of Palestine until reclamation and return. And that means we are shutting down the economy that funds the genocide. We refuse to stand idly by.”
Nida, a Palestinian and Golden Gate protester, said April 15 was chosen as a day of action because it’s Tax Day for most Americans.
“April 15th 2024, is the day that millions of Americans pay their taxes, and for many people of conscience living in the United States, this day is especially significant, as we know that this country gives away billions of our tax dollars straight to the Israeli Occupation Forces. We do not want our tax dollars to pay for this war machine. Instead we say you must uphold the promises you gave to the people of this nation and use our tax dollars in support of the people,” Nida wrote.
An activist who goes by the name Ethos said, “Instead of stopping the flow of American weapons and billions of our tax dollars to Israel, the Biden administration is bringing us closer to launching a regional war.”
Protesters block I-880 in Oakland
The Bay Bridge was blocked for hours Monday by protesters on Interstate 880 in Oakland. The group locked their arms into 280-pound concrete barrels in the middle of traffic lanes. A sign reading, “A-15 Economic blockade for a free Palestine,” was held up on I-880.
A15 Action sent KRON4 a press release, writing, “The action in Oakland occurred as part of a series of economic blockades on April 15 in dozens of cities around the world. Protesters in Oakland targeted I-880 as an economic artery through which capital and labor flow every day. I-880 serves as the region’s primary corridor for commercial freight, seeing millions of dollars in goods moved as it connects the Port of Oakland, the Oakland Airport, and the West Oakland railyards.”
Demonstrations demanding a ceasefire will continue around the Bay Area later today, protest organizers said. An A15 Action spokesperson told KRON4 that another “economic blockade” will happen at the Tesla factory in Fremont at 5:30 p.m.
Protesters Arrested By CHP
The California Highway Patrol said its officers are “actively engaged in the de-escalation of multiple ongoing protests in the Bay Area. This is an intricate operation. Attempting to block or shut down a freeway or state highway to protest is unlawful, dangerous, and prevents motorists from safely reaching their destinations.”
As of 2 p.m. on Monday, the CHP said officers were making arrests at the following protest locations:
On I-880 at Embarcadero: The CHP said, “Officers had to contend with 55-gallon drums filled with cement and heavy-duty chains attaching protesters to the drums. They are actively working to remove these individuals and lanes will be reopened. These individuals will be arrested.”
On I-880 at 7th Street: The CHP said, “Approximately 300 protestors refused to comply with orders to disperse. Arrests are taking place.”
On the Golden Gate Bridge: The CHP said, “Protesters utilized stationary vehicles to chain themselves to as they refused to clear lanes. Approximately 20 people have been arrested and are in custody. The Golden Gate Bridge reopened at approximately 12:15 p.m.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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