Hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered at the Port of Tacoma in Washington, demanding a cease-fire in Gaza. They blocked traffic at the port where a military supply ship, the Cape Orlando, had recently arrived. The protesters claimed that the ship was carrying weapons bound for Israel, but these claims could not be immediately verified. The vessel is under the control of the U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command and is supporting the movement of U.S. military cargo.
The Cape Orlando had also drawn protests in Oakland, California, where it docked before sailing to Tacoma. About 300 protesters delayed its departure, and three individuals who climbed onto the ship were detained by the U.S. Coast Guard. The three individuals were later released in San Francisco, and investigations are ongoing against them and others who breached the federal maritime area.
By midmorning, around 200 protesters remained at the Port of Tacoma, with some carrying signs expressing their opposition to aid for Israel and calling for the freedom of Palestinian prisoners. The protesters aimed to prevent the loading of the Cape Orlando with its cargo. The International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 23, which represents workers at the port, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The protests are a response to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, which has resulted in a high number of casualties, including children and minors. The protesters are calling for an end to the conflict and are condemning the use of U.S. funding and weaponry in what they perceive as acts of violence and oppression.
These protests highlight the international attention and concern surrounding the conflict in Gaza, with individuals taking to the streets to voice their opposition to the violence and advocate for peace.
