In a significant disruption to the morning commute in Oakland on Thursday, a pro-Palestinian group orchestrated a shutdown of the Bay Bridge.
The Arab Resource and Organizing Center (AROC), a Bay Area-based organization, was behind the demonstration. Protesters blocked the bridge's thoroughfare with vehicles, forming a barricade across its width, and voiced their demands through chants of "What do we want? Justice. When do we want it? Now."
The protesters were armed with placards that read "No US military aid to Israel" and "Stop the genocide." Vehicles were adorned with signs advocating for a ceasefire. Some demonstrators were seen wearing medical masks.
AROC shared footage of the bridge shutdown on platform X, urging followers to "Join us! Tell [Biden] - Ceasefire NOW" and provided the White House's contact information. A banner was also unfurled across the road.
The group shared images of law enforcement officials making arrests in an attempt to clear the road and restore traffic flow.
This protest coincided with President Biden's visit to San Francisco, where he was meeting with Chinese President Xi. The two leaders attended a dinner on Wednesday night, featuring Gwen Stefani as the entertainment, with tickets priced at $40,000.
Simultaneously, activists in Washington, DC, staged protests at the Democratic National Committee headquarters, echoing the call for a ceasefire. These demonstrations come in the wake of attacks on Israel by Palestinian terror group Hamas, which resulted in the death of 1,200 Israelis and the kidnapping of over 200 individuals, who remain captive in Gaza.
AROC, which is affiliated with the Tides Foundation, a not-for-profit umbrella organization, is eligible to receive tax-deductible donations. The group describes itself as "a grassroots organization working to empower and organize our community towards justice and self-determination for all. AROC members build community power in the Bay Area by participating in leadership development, political education, and campaigns."
However, their mission statement does not disclose plans to disrupt major roadways to draw attention to their causes. The group envisions "powerful and liberated Arab communities living with dignity from here to our homelands. AROC sees the liberation of Arab people inextricably tied to the liberation of all people of color."
AROC announced on their Facebook page a "Ceasefire Mass Meeting" scheduled for November 19. The meeting, organized in collaboration with Bay Resistance, Center for Political Education, and the Anti-Police Terror Project, aims to deepen the understanding of their organizing strategy. The Anti-Police Terror Project advocates for the abolition of policing in Oakland.
"In this critical moment, we offer this mass meeting space to get clear on messaging and deepen our shared understanding of our organizing strategy. There will be space for political education, training on organizing skills, action planning, and spaces for arts and culture," the group stated in their post about the event.
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