Occupy Movement to Shut Down West Coast Ports

Erin Sherbert

​Even if police have cleared most Occupy encampments across the nation, the movement is still very much alive. According to Occupy Oakland, more protesters up and down the West Coast have joined in the effort to shut down the ports and disrupt the 1 percent on Dec. 12.

According to Occupy Oakland:

As of Nov. 27, 2011, the Occupy movement in every major West Coast port city: Occupy LA, Occupy San Diego, Occupy Portland, Occupy Tacoma, Occupy Seattle have joined Occupy Oakland in calling for and organizing a coordinated West Coast Port Blockade and Shutdown on Dec. 12, 2011. Other West Coast Occupies, including Occupy Anchorage and Vancouver, Canada are planning to join the economic blockade and disruption of the 1 percent on that date.

"We're shutting down these ports because of the union busting and attacks on the working class by the 1 percent: The firing of Port truckers organizing at SSA terminals in LA; the attempt to rupture ILWU union jurisdiction in Longview, WA by EGT," protesters said in a statement released today. "We are also striking back against the nationally coordinated attack on the Occupy movement. In response to the police violence and camp evictions against the Occupy movement, this is our coordinated response against the 1 percent."

On Dec. 12, protesters will mobilize their communities and establish pickets to shut down their local Port. It can happen, as evidenced by the more than 60,000 people who shut down the Port of Oakland on Nov. 2, 2011, which quickly became the model for the West Coast efforts. 

Organizers warn that if police attempt to disrupt the port blockade or if there is police violence against any city participating, they will only extend the duration of the blockade up and down the coast.

"These Ports are public," says Clarence Thomas, a member of ILWU Local 10. "People have a right to come to the Port and protest."

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