2000 March SF in Protest of Israeli Force

Protesters met yesterday evening at 5 p.m. in front of the Israeli Consulate to express their condemnation of the acts of Israeli offense in the Palestinian territory of Gaza that has continued for five days now, and has resulted in 350 deaths and 700 injured. The protest coincided with those in several other cities around the country.

By 6 p.m., the protest became packed in the sidewalks, and protesters were spilling into Montgomery St., refusing to pack back onto the sidewalk. The numbers of protesters on the street increased, as an organizer from ANSWER announced a march south on Montgomery St. A city garbage truck slowly passed through the thick crowd.

Marching began south on Montgomery, as police on motorcycles drove on the sidewalks in order to stay ahead of the march, blocking off traffic. The march continued west on Market St., where passengers had exited buses due to the blockade of the march. Bus drivers honked in solidarity, and car passengers waved and gave the thumbs-up. One very brave man carrying an American flag also joined the march.

Among the protesters were teenagers, college students, adults, dogs, people on wheels, activists, and parents carrying their children. Many wore Palestinian-style scarves, and stickers that said things such as "Arab Sympathizer."

The march turned north on Van Ness, and protesters walked between cars through south-bound traffic, as well as marching on the north-bound side. For a moment, protesters stopped in front of an NBC van, which was amongst the traffic, shouting chants. A helicopter circled above.

Organizers directed the march back east on O'Farrell, then south on Jones. The massive size of the march was apparent as one looked up the hill north on Jones. Estimates have been around 2,000.

The march ended at the U.N. Plaza, where a rally then took place. The protest was largely non-violent, and no arrests were made.

Israel is refusing a cease-fire, and proclaims a "war to the bitter end."