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Protesters are blocking the entrance to a terminal at the Port of Tacoma on Monday [1]

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Date: 2023-11

More than 100 protesters gathered at the Port of Tacoma on Monday morning. They believe a ship, the MV Cape Orlando, was to pick up weapons and equipment for delivery to Israel.

Protesters used their cars to block the entrance to a pier in an attempt to stop workers from being able to load the ship.

Tacoma police were on scene behind a fence at the terminal. The protest was peaceful throughout the morning, with participants chanting, “Ceasefire now” and “Free Palestine.”

The MV Cape Orlando seen moored at the Port of Tacoma on Monday, Nov. 6, 2023. Puneet Bsanti [email protected]

The MV Cape Orlando was previously in Oakland, California, allegedly to pick up weapons for Israel amid the Israel-Hamas war. Protests also erupted in Oakland, with people attempting to board the ship and tampering with mooring lines, the U.S. Coast Guard said in a news release.

A spokesperson for the Department of Defense declined to provide to The News Tribune information about the Cape Orlando’s whereabouts or cargo.

“Due to operations security, DoD does not provide transit/movement details or information regarding the cargo embarked on vessels of this kind. We have no further information to provide at this time,” the spokesperson relayed to The News Tribune via email Monday morning.

Traffic in and around the port was being delayed, police said about 10:10 a.m. Monday.

“Traffic is currently blocked near the Port of Tacoma, on 11th street from Port of Tacoma Road to Milwaukee Way, due to a protest demonstration. Our officers are on the scene to help direct traffic and ensure the continued safety of all community members,” TPD posted on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

Traffic is currently blocked near the Port of Tacoma, on 11th street from Port of Tacoma Road to Milwaukee Way, due to a protest demonstration. Our officers are on the scene to help direct traffic and ensure the continued safety of all community members. pic.twitter.com/KajTtStJAc — Tacoma Police Department (@TacomaPD) November 6, 2023

Jeff Jurgensen, a Pentagon spokesperson, responded to the News Tribune’s request for comment Monday afternoon.

“The Department of Defense is aware of the incidents in question — and we work closely with interagency partners, to include the Department of Transportation, the U.S. Coast Guard and local law enforcement – as appropriate — to ensure the security and safety of military assets and personnel operating at commercial port facilities. The vessel is currently under the operational control of U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command and is supporting the movement of U.S. military cargo. Due to operational security, DoD does not provide further transportation, movement details or information regarding the cargo embarked on these vessels. We have no further information to provide at this time,” the statement said.

The war began on Oct. 7 after Hamas, a terrorist group governing the Gaza Strip, launched an attack against Israel. The war has claimed the lives of 1,400 Israelis and about 10,000 Palestinians, according to the Associated Press.

The Arab Resource and Organizing Center in the Bay Area announced on Friday that it received information about a military ship in Oakland that allegedly would collect military weapons for delivery to Israel. After a nine-hour delay, AROC said the ship was headed to Tacoma. The ship was supposed to dock Sunday afternoon but was delayed to Monday morning.

The Tacoma Democratic Socialists of America organization told The News Tribune it helped redirect people who traveled from far away and were unaware of the change in plans. They helped provide transportation and shelter to those in need.

A few protesters from Thurston County said Monday that they planned to be at the port for as long as they can. They said they do not want weapons going to Israel and the protest is the most direct action they can take.

One protester said they wanted to stress that there are a lot of people in attendance from different backgrounds, including Jewish and Palestinian.

This story was originally published November 6, 2023, 8:12 AM.

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[1] Url: https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article281486168.html

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