For the second time in two months, pro-Palestinian activists managed to prevent the unloading of a "Zim" ship, which is under Israeli ownership.
The incident took place on last Saturday at the Port of Oakland in California, after hundreds of protesters gathered on the dock, disrupting the port workers from unloading the merchandise off the ship.
The demonstrators claim to be protesting the latest military actions of Israel, during operation "Protective Edge" in Gaza.
At least two groups were demonstrating at the Port of Oakland, “Block the Boat for Gaza”, and the “Stop Zim Action Committee”. Members of ISM, the “International Solidarity Committee” were also spotted at the protests.
A picket of about 200 pro-Palestinian demonstrators campaigning under the title “Block the Boat” assembled on Saturday alongside the "Zim Shanghai", a massive, 300-meter commercial vessel.
No cargo was unloaded after members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union refused to work on the ship, citing safety fears due to the crowd of protesters and police.
ZIM may not call on the Port of Oakland again, certainly not until the ILWU 10 has a contract and guarantees to unload ZIM ships. Other shipping companies wary of the port’s unreliability may also consider the same. With an estimated 150 ZIM visits a year, that’s a lot of business and perhaps even jobs for the City of Oakland to lose.
