Protesters block the Central Freeway in San Francisco calling for a cease-fire in Gaza
SAN FRANCISCO— Thousands of protesters demanding a cease-fire in Gaza blocked lanes on the Central Freeway in San Francisco on Saturday afternoon.
According to the California Highway Patrol, traffic was shut down on the Central Freeway for approximately 60 minutes, from 4:20 p.m. — 5:20 p.m.
Jenine Baqleh, a 12-year-old Palestinian-American, attended the Oct. 28 rally in San Francisco with her parents and younger brother.
“I’m here because my people in Palestine, the people in Gaza, they’re dying day and night and something needs to be said about it,” said Baqleh.
March organizers stated that 25,000 people attended Saturday’s rally.
“We have thousands upon thousands of people that are out marching in the streets of San Francisco,” said Mohamed Shehk, member of the Arab Resource and Organizing Center, who helped organize the march, “We’re saying no business as usual as long as Israel continues its genocidal attacks on the people of Gaza.”
The march took place three weeks after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu officially declared war on Hamas, in response to the Oct. 7 attack that killed over 1,400 Israeli civilians and took 229 hostages, according to the Israeli Defense Force (IDF).
Gaza’s health ministry, controlled by Hamas, stated 7,028 Palestinians, including 2,913 children, died in Israeli airstrikes since Oct. 7.
Saturday’s protest in San Francisco, followed Thursday’s Freedom for Palestine Demonstration on the Broad Street Bridge, which was met with supporters of Israel.
“Quite a few people came to the center that needed support,” Rabbi Nochum Yusewitz, Director of the Chabad of Grass Valley said regarding Hamas’ initial attacks. “We’re a family, we’re a community. We need each other. It’s concerning to see antisemitism popping up, even here in the United States. My message, our message and the Jewish response throughout history is prayer, and mitzvah and kindness. Every human life is precious and is sacred.”
At the San Francisco rally, protesters held signs that read, “End U.S. aid to apartheid Israel,” and chanted “Ceasefire now.”
Biden’s approval among Democrats has fallen 11 percent to 7 percent, historically low polling during his presidency, according to the newly released GALLUP poll.
According to the GALLUP poll, the dive in Biden’s popularity followed his promise of “rock solid and unwavering” support for Israel after the Oct. 7 attacks.
Democratic House leader, Hakeem Jeffries, stands with Biden’s efforts to support Israeli security.
“Israel has a right to exist as a Jewish and Democratic state,” Jeffries said in a press release. “Our ironclad commitment to Israel’s security and the effort to defeat Hamas is not inconsistent with the goal of achieving a lasting and just peace between Israel and the Palestinian people.”
In an anonymous open letter, congressional Jewish and Muslim staffers on Capitol Hill urged members of Congress to call for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
“Millions of lives hang in the balance, including the 2.3 million civilians—half of whom are children—in Gaza, civilians in Israel, and Jews and Muslims around the world,” stated staffers in the open letter. “This is especially urgent with antisemitism, anti-Muslim, and anti-Palestinian sentiment on the rise nationwide.”
Prime Minister Netanyahu, in a news briefing Saturday evening, said the conflict had entered the “second stage of the war,” after Israeli ground troops entered Gaza.
“Our heroic fighters have one goal: To destroy this enemy and to make sure the existence of our country. Never again,” said Netanyahu.
