email info@socialistviewpoint.org

U.S. and World Politics

Block the Boat: A Huge Victory

By Toby Blomé

On Friday, June 4, 2021, after two very successful community pickets during both the day and night International Longshore Workers Union (ILWU) shifts, starting at 6:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M., the Israeli Apartheid Zim-chartered Volans ship left the dock at Berth 30, at approximately 6:00 P.M., with cargo still loaded!

Huge thanks to AROC (Arab Resource and Organizing Center) for their amazing network and community organizing capabilities!

Hundreds participated, six gates were successfully picketed, and a great shuttle service was organized by AROC to help get people to berth 30. Huge thanks to all the ILWU workers, who understood and respected our picket line!

Activists with SZAC (Stop Zim Action Committee,) the group I’ve been working with, have been monitoring the Volans ship since it left dock on Friday evening, and although the ship’s location had not been included on satellite reports for many hours afterwards, there has been no sign of the ship returning to the Oakland port—a victory!

Very proud to have played a small part in this amazing community resistance to Israel’s brutal oppression of Palestine. So proud of Oakland and the greater Bay Area! A people united will never be divided! Thanks to everyone who participated!

“Resistance is Justified when People are Occupied!”