In recent weeks, a San Francisco-based organization known as the Arab Resource and Organizing Center (AROC) has been at the forefront of several high-profile protests on the west coast.
The group's activities have included shutting down the Port of Oakland in an attempt to prevent the loading of a military supply ship bound for Israel and causing a significant disruption on the Bay Bridge.
On November 16, AROC was responsible for a several-hour-long shutdown of the Bay Bridge, a major artery between San Francisco and Oakland. The group's actions were part of a demand for a ceasefire while President Biden was visiting San Francisco.
The level of disruption caused by these protests raises questions about the legality and appropriateness of such actions. The closure of major ports and the obstruction of a military transport operation, in particular, have raised eyebrows. Questions have been raised about how AROC was able to gain access to the port, which should have been secured against unauthorized entry.
Jason Torchinsky, a nonprofit attorney, pointed out the potential legal implications of these actions. "There are lawful ways and locations to exercise free speech at a public portlike getting a protest permit and holding your event, he said. But [nonprofit] dollars cannot be used to support criminal activities, which here may include a restricted area in violation of U.S. Coast Guard rules and interference with military operations.
The Tides Center, which describes AROC as a grassroots organization working to empower and organize our community towards justice and self-determination for all, could also face legal repercussions. In reality, AROC is a leading voice in the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment, & Sanctions movement and seeks to abolish Zionism.
AROC's activities have not been limited to port and bridge protests. The group also helped organize a public school walkout in October, which has drawn criticism from a group of parents known as Guardian SF. The parents argue that AROC violated its contract with several schools in the city by encouraging and organizing the walkout, which disrupted classroom work and normal activities.
Hundreds of students from several district high schools participated in the political action on Oct. 18, protesting the bombing of Gaza and calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war.
In particular, political organizations especially those contracted by the school district and given privileged access to our children should not be in our schools organizing children to do political work and disrupting our childrens safe learning environment, said parents Siva Raj and Autumn Looijen in a letter to district officials.
AROC currently has a 3-year contract to provide various services to nine schools in the district. However, the district had warned staff in October that Staff is not authorized to lead students in a walkout. The district is currently reviewing the letter sent by Guardians SF.
The situation raises questions about the double standards applied to progressive and conservative groups. It is unlikely that a conservative group would be allowed to organize a student pro-life walkout in San Francisco without facing significant backlash and potential punishment.
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