Port of Oakland Shutdown
Community shuts down Oakland Port to support Palestine
On January 13, 2024, over 3,000 workers and community members shut down the Port of Oakland to demand an end to US economic and military support of Israel’s genocidal bombing campaign in Gaza. Thanks to the Bay Area’s steadfast commitment, operations at the Port were effectively shut down all day. Over 200 scheduled jobs were canceled during the afternoon shift. The Oakland Port preemptively called off the morning shift in anticipation of massive community turnout.
As Jimmy Salameh, aa Palestinian longshoreman and member of ILWU Local 10 said, “I’ve worked at the port for ten years, and I can say for a fact that there was no business as usual out here today. How could there be in the middle of a genocide? I couldn’t be prouder of the people who turned out today to raise their voice against the war on Gaza and to demand that this port isn't used for military purposes."
On a typical day, port operations begin well before sunrise with port workers assigned to morning or afternoon shifts. These operations generate around $12 million in revenue – the same amount of money that the US sends to Israel per day in economic and military aid. However, on January 13, a mass mobilization of workers and residents in the Bay Area shut down the Oakland Port to say not on our watch. As long as the US enables Israel’s massacre of Palestinians and the destruction of Gaza with our tax dollars and through our port, there can be no business as usual.
The Port of Oakland has a long history of aiding US war crimes. Last November, the Bay Area came together to prevent the military vessel Cape Orlando from leaving the port – the same vessel was used to transport military equipment to Iraq and Afghanistan. Past actions from community members demonstrate the Bay Area’s steadfast commitment to justice, liberation, and international solidarity. For as long as the working people of moral conscience live in the Bay Area, we will not allow war profiteering to take place on our watch.
Not another nickel, not another dime – no more money for Israel’s crimes! The Bay Area will not rest until Palestine is free!
"The Oakland port has facilitated the transport of weapons, military equipment, and technology that fuel the Israeli slaughter of Palestinians. As long as the US enables this war with our tax dollars and through our port, there can be no business as usual." - Lara Kiswani, AROC Executive Director
Next Steps
These port shutdowns send a powerful message to the world that the people stand with Palestine, but the fight continues in many arenas.
- Attend APTP's 10th Annual March and Week of Action to Reclaim MLK’s Radical Legacy.
- To get updates on AROC's future actions and mobilizations, text "Gaza" to (833) 633-0604.
- The SF Board of Supervisors passed a ceasefire resolution by a supermajority. They're already facing a right wing backlash; take a moment to thank them for standing with Palestine.
- The SF Unified School District is currently investigating students who organized walkouts in support of Palestine. Sign a petition calling out their anti-Arab racism.
- Check out our calendar to find events in your area.
- Follow AROC on Twitter or Instagram.
