As chaos and violence between Israel and Hamas continues to escalate in Gaza, pro-Palestinian protesters were seen at the Port of Tacoma, to demonstrate their outrage. Hundreds of protesters blocked traffic, with the goal of preventing weapons from being shipped to Israel.
The Cape Orlando was believed to be carrying military cargo bound for Israel, though these claims could not be immediately corroborated by Department of Defense officials. Regardless, this prompted similar protests in Oakland before the ship arrived in Tacoma.
Well over 100 people have shown up at 5 a.m. to protest at the Port of Tacoma against the loading of the MV Cape Orlando. Organizers claim that the US military merchant vessel will be used to transport military hardware to the state of Israel. pic.twitter.com/Yg1N9lHiN8
— Guy Oron (@GuyOron) November 6, 2023
According to Air Force Lt. Col. Bryon J McGarry’s statement, the vessel is under control of the U.S Navy Military Sealift Command and is aiding in transporting U.S military cargo however, he could not provide any details regarding its transit or movement due to operational security concerns.
Around 300 demonstrators delayed its departure from Oakland and three people were even detained by the Coast Guard after climbing onto it during a previous stop in San Francisco – although they have since been released on a pier there according to Petty Officer Hunter Schnabel.
Final update of the night: Abby Brook, one of the organizers of the #BlockTheBoat protest at the Port of Tacoma, announced that the weapons were still able to be loaded onto the ship, but the protestors delayed the loading by 12 hours pic.twitter.com/izgKtLjoDe
— Rosemary Montalvo (@rosemontalv) November 7, 2023
When it arrived at the Port Of Tacoma on Monday morning there were around 200 activists present, many bearing signs that read āNo Aid For Israelā and āFree All Palestinian Prisonersā as symbols for Palestinian freedom. They aimed at blocking any loading operations taking place aboard the vessel so that no weapons would reach Israeli forces as they fight against Hamas militants in Gaza – where an estimated 10,000 Palestinians have already lost their lives including 4,000 children and minors according to reports from Hamas’ Health Ministry which are likely only going up as Israeli troops push further into urban areas.
Local 23, which represents port workers, did not respond when asked about these events but Wassim Hage (from San Francisco based Arab Resource & Organizing Center) expressed his opinion saying “It speaks to the historic moment where people are coming out to say, āNo. No funding for genocide, no U.S. bombs for bombing hospitals and killing children in Gaza”.
So far no arrests have been made by local police forces.