OAKLAND – Dozens of protesters had been arrested Monday night time, hours after they took over the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Constructing in Oakland and referred to as for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Greater than 700 Jewish individuals and their allies occupied the constructing’s rotunda, lots of them carrying matching black T-shirts declaring, “Jews Say Ceasefire Now” and “Not In Our Identify.”
Organizers mentioned the Jewish Voice for Peace protesters wouldn’t go away the constructing until a ceasefire was referred to as or they had been forcibly eliminated.
By 8 p.m., cops had begun clearing the constructing at 1301 Clay St., warning these gathered inside that they’d be arrested for illegal meeting in the event that they remained.
In an inside room, protesters continued to sing “ceasefire now,” whilst officers entered the area.
Organizers warned protesters not to withstand arrest as soon as officers began clearing the constructing.
“We’ll most likely be arrested,” mentioned Liv Kunins-Berkowitz, an organizer and Oakland resident. “There most likely hasn’t been a mass sit-in on the federal constructing in a decade or so.”
Not lengthy after, officers started arresting protesters one after the other on suspicion of illegal meeting. The gang cheered and applauded till it was their flip to be arrested.
“My grandmother and grandfather didn’t die in Germany for our historical past to be exploited to kill different individuals,” one protester mentioned as she was led away. “Not one different time, for any individuals.”
However by 9:30 p.m., protesters nonetheless remained inside elements of the federal constructing.
The motion was a part of a nationwide week of Jewish-led protests calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, in response to organizers. It additionally got here on the identical day President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris had been within the Bay Space for the Asia-Pacific Financial Cooperation 2023 discussion board.
Different protests have taken place at Grand Central Station and the Statue of Liberty.
In an announcement, the Oakland Police Division mentioned it obtained reviews of a protest on the constructing simply after 4:15 p.m. Monday. Officers assisted the Federal Protecting Service with escorting staff from the constructing in addition to visitors management.
The constructing was cordoned off, however one opening on Martin Luther King Jr. Manner allowed individuals to come back and go effectively into the night hours.
The Federal Protecting Service didn’t instantly reply to message in search of touch upon the protest.
Test again for updates.
