Palestine supporters block Port of Tacoma to protest U.S. military aid to Israel

Update Nov. 7, 2023, 9:30 AM — Protestors delayed the ship from being loaded for over eight hours and wrapped up protests late Monday evening. 

Since early Monday morning, hundreds of protestors have been blocking the three road entrances to the Port of Tacoma in an attempt to stop workers from loading the “MV Cape Orlando,” a United States military supply vessel, with weapons and military equipment. 

Protestors said they received information from confidential sources that the vessel was going to be loaded with the equipment and sent to Israel. Protestors parked dozens of cars in multiple blockades in front of port entrances, stopping workers from entering. One worker requested to leave the ship in solidarity, according to the protestors.

Protestors are keeping workers out of the Port of Tacoma. Multiple car blockades were formed to impede road access. (Credit: Lauren Gallup / NWPB)

“We are willing to put our bodies, to put our careers on the line, to make sure that this boat does not get the weapons that are being sent from [Joint Base Lewis-McChord] military base here,” said Alon Lapid with Samidoun Seattle, the Seattle-chapter of the international group that is one of the organizers of the protest.

Protestors say they oppose what they call a genocide of Palestinian people and say this is being carried out by Israel, with the help of the U.S. military. They are calling for an end to the siege on Gaza and a free Palestine.

The vessel arrived in the Port of Tacoma from Oakland, Calif. after protests there delayed it for nine hours. 

“Now the task is up to us to delay it for as long as possible,” said Bissan Barghouti, also with Samidoun Seattle.

Organizers have been mobilizing across the country in recent days, with tens of thousands protesting in Washington D.C. last weekend.

Protestors stood with signs displaying messages such as “Free All Palestinian Prisoners” and “Resist Until Return.” The symbol of a watermelon, which has become ubiquitous with Palestinian liberation, was seen everywhere. 

Protestors hold a sign that reads, “Resist Until Return.” (Credit: Lauren Gallup / NWPB)

“There were many periods of time where the Israeli government banned any sort of public display of the Palestinian flag, and so Palestinians resorted to carrying watermelons because the watermelon colors resemble the Palestinian flag.” Barghouti said. “It’s definitely a symbol of our inability to be silenced as a people.”

Former Tacoma City Council candidate Courtney Love was among the protestors, who, like others, called the protest an “anti-genocide” demonstration. 

“To me, it’s not, it’s not something I decide based on identity politics,” Love said. “It’s about material reality and the material reality is people are being eliminated from the surface of this earth … This is anti-genocide work, and we’re here for it.”

As of Monday afternoon, protesters continue to block port entrances.