OAKLAND, Calif. – ‘Free Palestine’ demonstrators caused major disruptions during morning rush hour on Monday, blocking sections of highways in the Bay Area, including the Golden Gate Bridge. The protest, organized by a group called A15 Action, led to traffic standstills on Interstate Highway 880 in Oakland and both directions of the Golden Gate Bridge. The activists’ aim was to draw attention to the ongoing conflict in Gaza and demand an end to U.S. support for Israel.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported that the demonstration in Oakland began around 6:30 a.m., followed by the protest on the Golden Gate Bridge an hour later. Protesters waved flags and painted the colors of Palestine on the highway’s center median, while some chained themselves to 55-gallon drums filled with concrete. CHP officers, clad in riot gear, worked to remove the protesters obstructing the roads. Seven individuals were arrested in Oakland, and a total of 26 were taken into custody on the Golden Gate Bridge.
Chief Don Goodbrand of the CHP Golden Gate Division stated that approximately 300 protesters marched on I-880 southbound at 7th Street in Oakland, resulting in five more arrests. The detained individuals faced various charges, including false imprisonment and conspiracy to commit a crime. The CHP emphasized that blocking roadways and impeding traffic flow is illegal, regardless of the protesters’ motives.
Protesters’ actions were met with mixed reactions from the public, with some expressing frustration over the disruptions caused to their daily routines. While the activists claimed to be part of a coordinated global effort to disrupt the economy and denounce U.S. aid to Israel, commuters highlighted the impact on their lives, such as missing critical events like funerals due to the road closures. Law enforcement officials mentioned monitoring intelligence suggesting potential protests on that day, although they did not have detailed information regarding the specific demonstrations.
The protest on the Golden Gate Bridge mirrored previous incidents in the Bay Area where demonstrators targeted key locations to raise awareness about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Similar blockades were expected in other California cities, indicating a widespread effort to draw attention to the situation in Gaza. Despite the inconvenience caused to commuters, activists stressed the importance of amplifying the voices of Palestinians experiencing daily hardships in the region.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of the protests, authorities continue to assess the situation and address concerns raised by residents. The demonstrations underscore the complex dynamics surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the global response to the ongoing crisis.