Pro-Palestinian protesters block naval ship in Oakland: ‘Joe Biden… we charge you with genocide’

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators block a transport ship in the US National Defense Reserve Fleet that is docked at the Port of Oakland, claiming the vessel is set to ferry American material to Israel amid the ongoing war in Gaza against Hamas.

Video showed several protesters in the California city climbing a ladder on the MV Cape Orlando, in an apparent bid to prevent it from sailing.

There are no reports of arrests.

Un barco militar intenta salir del puerto de Oakland, CA con armas estadounidenses para que 'Israel' continúe su genocidio en Gaza. Un grupo de activistas, arriesgándose a ser detenidos, ha venido para impedir la salida del barco. pic.twitter.com/ppDDeNVGCc

— L.A (@L_O_R_E_N_A1984) November 3, 2023

In other clips from the demonstration, which was organized by the San Francisco-based Arab Resource and Organizing Center, activists call for a halt to American military aid to Israel and chant, “Joe Biden, you can’t hide, we charge you with genocide,” due to the US president’s support for Israel.

“Joe Biden you can’t hide, we charge you with genocide!”

Hundreds continue a sit-in at the Port of Oakland to stop a ship headed to Israel to deliver more weapons for war on Gaza. Some are chained onto the ship. pic.twitter.com/myUh4AuEau

— BreakThrough News (@BTnewsroom) November 3, 2023

Countering the demonstrators’ claims, union officials and subcontractors quoted by the San Francisco Chronicle say the ship is empty and regularly comes and goes, and has not been in operation for years.

“This has been dead for 17 years,” Melvin Mackay, head of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, tells the newspaper.