Updated: Occupy Movement Seeks to Shut Down West Coast Ports
West Coast protesters from the Occupy Wall Street movement have joined a movement to blockade major ports from Anchorage to San Diego, in what they say is an effort to cut into corporate profits.
On Monday, hundreds of protesters gathered to March on the Port of Oakland in an effort to shut down the port all day. Last month nearly 3,000 protesters successfully shut down the port overnight. Groups of protesters are also expected to create blockades in Seattle, Tacoma, and Portland.
The Occupy movement is calling this latest action “Wall Street on the waterfront.” This latest protest comes after police raided camps set up by demonstrators last month. Demonstrators called the camps home for nearly two months – in protest of what they say is corporate greed and economic inequality.
PHOTO: One of the marches to the Port of Oakland during the 2011 Oakland General Strike on Nov. 2, 2011
The “Wall Street on the waterfront” movement that’s taking place is also is support of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union’s (ILWU) battle with the EGT grain terminal in Longview, Washington. Protestors plan to make picket lines which the union will rule as unsafe conditions – ordering longshoremen workers to not cross the lines.
Additionally, Goldman Sachs, a target of Occupy protests, is a major stakeholder in SSA Marine – who has been involved in recent clashes with union workers. Occupy protestors say they’re standing up for workers’ rights.
According to www.occupywallst.org, “Tomorrow, December 12th, in response to the coordinated effort to crush Occupy Wall Street, Occupiers in every major West Coast port city – San Diego, Los Angeles, Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver – are joining Occupy Oakland in a coordinated effort of our own: West Coast Port Shutdown. Solidarity actions are being organized around the world, including in Japan, Houston, Albuquerque, Denver, Greensboro, Austin, Honolulu, Salt Lake City, and New York.”
According to the site westcoastportshutdown.org protestors were told to meet at the Port of Oakland for 5:30 am march to the port from W. Oakland BART. This afternoon protestors are being asked to join together again for more marches. The Occupy movement claims that Tokyo General Union supports their cause and the shut down on West Coast Ports.
In an a letter sent to local longshore unions, dated October 5th, The International Longshore and Warehouse Union’s President, Robert McEllrath, says the union shares Occupy’s concerns regarding America however reminds protestors that “our struggle against EGT is just that – our struggle.” Mr. McEllrath told local unions that the effort by the Occupy movement to shut down the ports on behalf of the ILWU is not sanctioned by his union or its membership and there “has been no communication with the leadership and no vote with the ILWU ranks on EGT associated Occupy actions.” The ILWU has publicy disowned the actions of Occupy protestors and is continuing to do so with this latest march.
Other unions have criticized the Occupy movement as well, saying that organizers have ignored the desires of the workers and the democratic decision making process used within the unions.
Despite the lack of support from unions and the pleading by ports to call off the movement – Occupy Wall Street on the waterfront is set to take place.
Update: 10:51 am EST 12/12/2011
Police in Long Beach blocked protesters from continuing their march – forcing them out of the streets and warning them to use designated protesting space or face arrest.
Update: 3:30 pm EST, 12/12/2011
Long Beach police have arrested two protesters during demonstrations at the port. Four were arrested in San Diego for refusing to leave the street.
Update: 7:57 am EST, 12/13/2011
Occupy protesters were successful in blocking access to several major ports along the West coast, despite a less than expected turnout. In Oakland, Calif. and Longview, Wash., work was brough to a halt and a major terminal in Portland was brought to a close. Several thousand protesters descended on the Port of Oakland leading management there to not call in workers for the evening shift. Heavy rain led ro smaller marches on Long Beach and Seattle and fewer disruptions. as expected, demonstrators targeted terminals operated by SSA Marine, a terminal services company, with significant owenership held by investment bank Goldman Sachs. A spokesperson for Goldman Sachs said on Monday that the occupy movement had wrongfully portrayed the investment bank; adding that the company is a majority family owned. Goldman Sach's is also the largest employer of ILWU members.
Despite the ILWU's public denial of endorsement of Monday's movement - occupy protesters say they marched in support of the ILWU and other unions along the West coast.