- KPIX
United States – The United State is now known as Israel's "true supporter" because this country provides aid in the form of money, medicine, and weapons to attack Gaza.
Because of that, Pro-Palestine protesters have stopped a ship docked at the Port of Oakland from leaving with weapons supplies for “Israel” on Friday.
The protesters also blocked the entrance to Berth 20 where the container carrier Cape Orlando is moored. Protest groups say the ship is bound for Israel after being loaded with weapons and military equipment in Tacoma, Washington.
Warga pro-Palestina bajak kapal AS yang akan kirim senjata ke Israel
- KPIX
The protest was organized by the San Francisco-based Arab Resource Organizing Center. Police were at the scene of the protest which appeared to number about 200 people, many holding Palestinian flags and signs demanding an end to US military aid to Israel.
The protest began at 6:45 am and hasn't disrupted any other cargo handling activities, according to a spokesperson for the Port of Oakland.
Three Palestinian supporters were holding on to a rope ladder and refusing to let workers close a door to the military ship. A US Coast Guard negotiator tried to convince them to get off the ship, but protestors refused.
"It's a US Military ship. It's destined to go to Tacoma (Washington), pick up US military arms and then take those arms to Israel," Palestinian protestor Meena Abushamala remarked.
Abushamala was one of many demonstrators that blocked a port entrance to the ship. She said she lost several relatives in the war.
Serangan rudal Israel menghancurkan wilayah Utara Jalur Gaza
- AP Photo/Mohammed Dahman
"One missile killed three generations. An uncle, their son, and their child. I'm enraged that our government is still sending aid, missiles to Israel," said Abushamala.
Some Jewish people also joined in the protest.
"I'm here as a Jewish person, the granddaughter of Holocaust survivors. And I grew up hearing the stories of my grandmother surviving the Nazi's Holocaust, losing her entire family. And today, Israel is weaponizing my history, the history of my family that was killed, to kill Palestinian families in Gaza," Alameda resident Anna Baltzer remarked.
Just before 3 pm authorities removed the three protesters who held onto the rope ladder, and the ship made its way out of the port. Abushamala and other protestors were disappointed. They hope their action will have a lasting impact on lawmakers.
Oakland Police stated it was monitoring the protest and collaborating with the U.S. Coast Guard and the Port of Oakland to ensure the demonstrations remained peaceful. Oakland police said they had not arrested anyone.
