Authorities in Oakland were faced with two separate pro-Palestinian protests that led to the closure of lanes on I-880, causing traffic disruptions on Monday morning. One protest blocked northbound traffic on the freeway near 23rd Avenue, initially reported as an accident but later confirmed to be a demonstration. Another group of activists blocked southbound lanes on the Golden Gate Bridge, prompting the shutdown of the entire span. The protesters linked arms through chains and steel barrels, hindering authorities’ efforts to clear the lanes.
CHP and Oakland police officers responded to the scene to manage the protests and clear the lanes, which resulted in traffic congestion stretching from Oakland to San Leandro on I-880. The protests, part of an “economic blockade” coordinated with global demonstrations in cities like New York and Chicago, aimed to draw attention to Israel’s actions against Palestinians. Despite the efforts to reopen lanes, tractor trailers were redirected to westbound I-580 through Oakland until further notice, indicating the ongoing impact of the demonstrations on traffic flow.
As the day progressed, authorities gradually reopened lanes on I-880, but the protests continued to disrupt traffic in the area. With organizers under the banner A15Action targeting the global economy for complicity in the Israel-Palestine conflict, additional protests were planned at different locations in the Bay Area. The actions mirrored past demonstrations that successfully shut down bridges and caused disruptions, signaling a continued effort to draw attention to the issue. Authorities continued to monitor the situation as more protests were scheduled to take place.
