A group of protestors gathered on Monday to show their support for the 78 individuals who were arrested after a pro-Palestine demonstration that caused a major traffic shutdown on the Bay Bridge during rush hour last month. The demonstration took place ahead of the APEC summit and attracted significant attention. Now referred to as the “Bay Bridge 78,” these protesters faced arraignments starting Monday morning. Outside the San Francisco Hall of Justice, nearly 50 people gathered, holding Palestinian flags and a prominent banner demanding “Biden: Ceasefire now!” Their aim was to call on San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins to drop the charges against the protesters and advocate for a ceasefire in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
The event was organized by Bay Area Labor for Palestine, a coalition of union members and staff with three primary demands: a ceasefire, an end to U.S. military aid to Israel, and the termination of the occupation of Palestinian lands. A spokesperson from the group emphasized the labor movement’s principle of “an injury to one is an injury to all” in explaining their support for the arrested protesters. Unfortunately, Bay Area Labor for Palestine was not immediately available for comment.
The demonstration on the Bay Bridge was not an isolated incident, as pro-Palestine activists have been expressing their solidarity across the country. In New York City, similar protests disrupted traffic in major transportation hubs, including Manhattan Bridge. These actions highlight the growing support for the Palestinian cause and their plea for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
As tensions surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict persist, the issue of rising anti-Jewish prejudice has also come to the forefront. The “Antisemitism Exposed” newsletter provides stories on this concerning trend, covering incidents in the U.S. and worldwide.
