upper waypoint

Protesters Demanding Gaza Cease-Fire Block International Terminal at SFO

Save ArticleSave Article
Failed to save article

Please try again

Protesters stand outside SFO holding signs that say 'Stop Genocide.'
Pro-Palestinian protesters demonstrate outside San Francisco International Airport, demanding a permanent cease-fire in Gaza, on Wednesday morning, March 13, 2024.  (Nik Altenberg/KQED)

Updated 12 p.m. Wednesday

At least 200 pro-Palestinian protesters blocked security gates and traffic into San Francisco International Airport’s International Terminal Wednesday morning, demanding a permanent cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war that continues to rage in Gaza.

Starting just after 8 a.m., two groups of protesters gathered in front of SFO’s A and G international gates, linking arms and holding banners that read “Stop the World for Gaza,” “Permanent Ceasefire,” and “Stop Arming Israel,” while another group blocked drop-off traffic outside the terminal, hoisting red “Stop Bombing Gaza” signs.

Pro-Palestinian protesters calling for cease-fire at SFO’s international terminal. (Nik Altenberg/KQED)

Joshua Caldwell, a protest organizer, said the people involved in the protest were not part of a formal group or organization but were rather a collection of Bay Area residents who did not want to see the United States support of Israel’s bombing campaign continue.

“We don’t want to take action like this,” Caldwell said, noting that participants felt compelled to stop what he called a genocide in Gaza. “We’ll be here as long as possible,” he added.

The United States is Israel’s largest military supplier, and pro-Palestinian protesters have frequently targeted the Biden administration for its ongoing support of Israel.

“Protesters will stay for at least 158 minutes to mark 158 days of a bombardment on Gaza,” said Emily Katz, another protester, who wore a “Jews say ceasefire now” T-shirt.

SFO spokesperson Doug Yakel said in an email that airport operations were unaffected but that some passengers were given alternate routes. He did not confirm how many people were present and what security measures could be taken against them.

“Protest activity in the International Terminal, terminal remains open, rerouting passengers around the activity,” he said.

Flights were being rerouted to other gates, and no arrests have been made so far, according to SFO officials.

Around 11 a.m., multiple law enforcement units, including those from the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office and a swath of nearby police departments, arrived at the scene and appeared ready to make arrests. Protesters began dispersing soon thereafter, and by noon, the action had ended, with no arrests reported.

Yakel confirmed that protesters had dispersed and the roadways and areas in and around the airport that had been previously blocked were now clear. He said no flights had been delayed due to the protest.

Jennifer Trang, who helped lead Wednesday’s protest, said organizers had tried several failed tactics before deciding that the airport protest was necessary.

“We have met with elected officials, written letters, and passed city-wide resolutions,” Trang said in a statement. “We have taken to the streets. We have sounded the alarm in the media. The world has denounced the Israeli war against Palestinians in Gaza and our politicians continue to fuel and fund this genocide. … We need a permanent cease-fire and an end to the siege on Gaza now.”

Protester Emily Katz calls for cease-fire in Gaza inside SFO’s international terminal. (Nik Altenberg/KQED)

Israel’s months-long siege of Gaza has leveled vast swaths of the enclave, killing more than 30,000 people, most of them civilians, according to Gaza’s health ministry.

Israeli forces began bombarding Gaza shortly after Hamas militants crossed into Southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing some 1,200 people and kidnapping about 240 more.

Israel has demanded the immediate release of the roughly 130 remaining hostages before ending its bombing campaign.

Katz said that she felt compelled, as a Jewish person, to participate in Wednesday’s airport protest.

“I think it’s important for Jewish people to say ‘never again means never again for anyone,'” she said, “and that’s a big part of why I’m here.”

This story includes reporting from KQED’s Matthew Green and Nik Altenberg, and Bay City News

Sponsored

lower waypoint
next waypoint