A pro-Palestinian protest group numbering between 100 and 300 gathered this morning at the Port of Tacoma in an attempt to prevent the loading and departure of a US military vessel believed to be heading for Israel.
They’re picketing at Terminal 7, where they have blocked gates and lanes of traffic.
They’re trying to delay the US military supply ship Cape Orlando that’s bound for Israel.
“Confidential sources say that the vessel will be loaded with weapons and military equipment in Tacoma, with a final destination in Israel,” a news release from the Arab Resource & Organizing Center (AROC) said.
This is phase two of a protest that started a couple days ago in Oakland. That’s where the Cape Orlando left from. Protesters showed up there and at least three of them were able to cling to a rope ladder which prevented the ship from leaving for several hours. Eventually those three protesters were arrested and the ship departed for Tacoma.
Protesters should not have been able to get inside the port, onto the dock and nearly onto the ship. This looks like a pretty big security failure by someone.
Coming back to this morning, the ship was scheduled to dock in Tacoma for loading before setting off for Israel. It appears the protesters weren’t able to get to the ship itself this time so they are settling for trying to prevent union dockworkers from getting inside to load it.
Protesters are using their cars to block the entrance to a pier in an attempt to stop workers from being able to load the ship.
Tacoma police are on scene behind a fence at the terminal. The protest has been peaceful so far, with participants chanting, “Ceasefire now” and “Free Palestine.”
Here’s what the protest looked like early this morning.
BLOCK THE BOAT: Anti-genocide protesters here at the Port of Tacoma this morning, attempting to block the MV Cape Orlando from picking up weapons for Israel pic.twitter.com/6TCmWBYLoK
— Hannah Krieg (@hannahkrieg) November 6, 2023
Word is the boat is set to leave at noon — if the protesters let it pic.twitter.com/pWE1l18he6
— Hannah Krieg (@hannahkrieg) November 6, 2023
Again, the cops were ready this time so they couldn’t get inside the port. All they could do was try to block workers from getting in.
Hearing the boat is here. So far, organizers think they’ve blocked longshore workers from entering the terminal, picketing multiple enterances pic.twitter.com/frE5ZrxixR
— Hannah Krieg (@hannahkrieg) November 6, 2023
It appears the boat has arrived.
I keep on calling Port for comment but no answer
— Hannah Krieg (@hannahkrieg) November 6, 2023
Several hours later they are still marching and preventing trucks and workers from getting through.
Protesters marching in a circle as one of several groups continue to block the Port of Tacoma entrances to prevent the MV Cape Orlando from being loaded with what they say are military weapons headed to Israel. pic.twitter.com/DDqWdkJwkT
— Lindsey Wasson 📸 (@lindseywasson) November 6, 2023
The protest organizers claim that someone working on the ship itself has refused to continue working because of the cargo/destination. No idea if this is true but the crew are made up of civilians so I guess it’s possible.
We are hearing that a worker ON THE SHIP is refusing to continue on this ship because they do not want to be part of genocide
Our protests from Oakland 2 Tacoma is making an impact and moving people! This worker is going to be let off the ship, so let’s be ready to welcome them pic.twitter.com/XASAu9pi0q
— AROC #FreePalestine (@AROCBayArea) November 6, 2023
The latest word is that the numbers of protesters are dropping as the day drags on. My guess is many of these protesters are not used to being awake at 5 am and have gone home for a nap.
This Pro-Palestine rally at the Port of Tacoma is not as large as earlier but still ongoing- working to #BlockTheBoat that’s suspected of carrying weapons to Israel. @komonews pic.twitter.com/MwcCx3fBTg
— Denise Whitaker🏃♀️ (@deniseonKOMO) November 6, 2023
Is there a tow-truck anywhere in Tacoma? Seems like this could be solved pretty quickly.
This gives you a look at how a pro-Palestine group is working to #BlockTheBoat – literally blocking workers from reaching a ship they believe would be loaded with military supplies, bound for Israel. @komonews pic.twitter.com/FUsHnaNss8
— Denise Whitaker🏃♀️ (@deniseonKOMO) November 6, 2023
This is obviously an ongoing story so we’ll have to wait and see what happens next. I’ll try to update this if there are any significant developments this afternoon.
Read the full article here