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<div class="entry-date"> Weekend Edition October 17-19, 2014<br>
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext"
href="http://www.counterpunch.org/2014/10/17/california-leads-the-way-in-the-block-the-boat-movement/">http://www.counterpunch.org/2014/10/17/california-leads-the-way-in-the-block-the-boat-movement/</a><br>
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<div class="subheadlinestyle"><b><big><big>Fighting the Occupation
on the West Coast</big></big></b></div>
<h1 class="article-title">California Leads the Way in the “Block
the Boat” Movement</h1>
<div class="mainauthorstyle">by BEN NORTON</div>
<div class="main-text">
<p>A new phase is developing in the US Palestinian solidarity
movement: Block the Boat.</p>
<p>In organizing theory, activists often emphasize the
importance of formulating what they call an “escalation plan.”
When pushing for social change, they explain, it is important
that one’s methods of exerting pressure on power slowly grow
in strength, not remain stagnant.</p>
<p>Block the Boat is the next step in the escalation plan of US
Palestinian solidarity activists. The idea of Block the Boat
is quite simple: Hundreds of activists organize a protest in a
local dock and prevent Israeli ships from unloading cargo.</p>
<p>The action has its origins in 2010, when Palestinian
solidarity activists flooded the Port of Oakland, in protest
of Israel’s attack on the six civilian ships that comprised
the Gaza Freedom Flotilla. Members of the Free Gaza Movement
and the Turkish Foundation for Human Rights and Freedoms and
Humanitarian Relief were trying to bring humanitarian aid and
construction materials to Gaza—which was (and still is) under
an <a
href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/09/13/us-un-gaza-rights-idUSTRE78C59R20110913"
onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.reuters.com']);"
target="_blank">internationally illegal</a> siege by
Israel—when the Israeli military reacted with a brutally
violent crackdown, <a
href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/may/31/israel-kills-activists-flotilla-gaza"
onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.theguardian.com']);"
target="_blank">killing 10 civilian activists</a>. Oakland
protesters, repulsed that the Israeli government, with US
economic and political support, would kill foreign human
rights activists, retaliated by blocking an Israeli ship from
unloading. This stood as the first time in history an Israeli
ship had been blocked in a US port.</p>
<p>In the four years following Oakland’s 2010 action, this
direct action strategy fell by the wayside. It was not until
2014, in the midst of Israel’s latest military assault on
Gaza, dubbed “Operation Protective Edge,” that activists
returned to the method.</p>
<p>Many contemporary American activists identify Israel’s
“Operation Protective Edge” as a turning point in the
Israel-Palestine conflict. In just 50 days, <a
href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-28439404"
onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.bbc.com']);"
target="_blank">the Israeli military killed close to 2,200
people</a>—including roughly 1600 civilians, 500 of whom
were children—wounded over 11,000, and made over 100,000
homeless, bombing 10s of 1000s of homes, businesses, schools,
mosques, churches, power plants, and even hospitals. Many
activists felt frustrated at what they saw as the
ineffectiveness of non-confrontational actions such as rallies
and marches, and saw the need to turn toward nonviolent civil
disobedience. Block the Boat for Gaza was organized to meet
this need.</p>
<p>On 16 August 2014, thousands of Palestinian solidarity
activists convened at the Port of Oakland and marched roughly
1.5 miles in order to prevent the Israeli cargo ship the Zim
Piraeus from unloading. Zim Integrated Shipping Services is
Israel’s largest cargo shipping company (and the 10th biggest
in the world). The company has a close to $4 billion dollar
annual revenue, and is partially owned by the Israeli
government.</p>
<p>In early September, Bay Area activist Daniel Borgström
published “<a
href="http://www.counterpunch.org/2014/09/10/blocking-the-boat/"
target="_blank">A Diary of the Oakland Blockade of the
Israeli Cargo Ship ZIM Piraeus Blocking the Boat</a>.”
Borgström explains that what was planned on only being a
one-day protest expanded and multiplied, eventually morphing
into a four-day blockade.</p>
<p>The Oakland activists’ action garnered attention from the
international media, including <a
href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/17/israeli-ship-remains-at-sea-thousands-protesters-gather"
onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.theguardian.com']);"
target="_blank">the Guardian</a>, <a
href="http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/jewish-world-news/.premium-1.612127"
onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.haaretz.com']);"
target="_blank">Haaretz</a>, and more. Journalist Roqayah
Chamseddine, however, noted the <a
href="http://english.al-akhbar.com/node/21935"
onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://english.al-akhbar.com']);"
target="_blank">“unpublicized impact” of Block the Boat’s
successes</a>. Unsurprisingly, the same US corporate media
that is so unsympathetic to the plight of a people that has
been <a
href="http://www.amazon.com/Ethnic-Cleansing-Palestine-Ilan-Pappe/dp/1851685553"
onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.amazon.com']);"
target="_blank">ethnically cleansed</a> for 67 years and
military occupied for 47 has also largely ignored the actions
citizens within its own borders have taken to stop this
horrific and violent oppression.</p>
<p>When Block the Boat is mentioned in the corporate media, it
is typically discussed as though it was a one-time phenomenon.
Yet Block the Boat did not end with Oakland’s August 2014
action. In the time since, the movement has only grown—and
rapidly, at that. Oakland activists have called for “allies in
cities across the US to join us in building on our historic
victory against Zionism by ensuring that Zim ships are not
welcome anywhere!”, and advocates worldwide are heeding their
call. Similar actions are being organized in Seattle,
Vancouver, New York, New Orleans, Tampa, and more.</p>
<p>In the meantime, California continues to lead the way.</p>
<p><strong>Block the Boat Los Angeles</strong></p>
<p>The weekend of 18 October, Palestinian solidarity activists
in Los Angeles will be holding another Block the Boat action. <a
href="https://www.facebook.com/blocktheboatlosangeles"
onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.facebook.com']);"
target="_blank">Block the Boat Los Angeles</a> is organizing
a <a
href="https://www.facebook.com/events/704265262985266/?fref=ts"
onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.facebook.com']);"
target="_blank">community picket</a> at 6 am at the
intersection of Pier A Way and Pier A Plaza, on Long Beach, to
prevent a Zim ship from unloading.</p>
<p>I spoke with Block the Boat LA activists, inquiring about
their motivations, experiences, and feelings about the new
movement they are advancing. They stated that their principal
goal is to stop ships “from unloading cargo made in Israel in
an effort to peacefully apply economic pressure and fight
Israeli Apartheid.”</p>
<p>LA activist Garrick Ruiz explained that the advocates
“believe this form of peaceful protest through applying
economic pressure is one way to get Israel to pay attention to
the growing global public opposition to the illegal occupation
of the Palestinian people,” calling the Block the Boat
movement “our part in adding to the already powerful Israeli
boycott movement happening around the globe.”</p>
<p>Contrary to rumors about the supposed “hostility” of
Palestinian solidarity activists, Block the Boat LA was
careful to insist that “Any hostility or aggressive behavior
towards port personnel or in general is not accepted,” and
that it encourages “a compassionate/inspiring attitude.”</p>
<p>Activists expressed excitement at the efficacy of the
movement, calling Block the Boat “one of the most exciting and
effective methods of BDS so far, with estimates that a few
hours of delay could cause the Israeli owned ZIM cargo company
millions of dollars.”</p>
<p>Block the Boat LA organizers gave me an overview of how they
have developed. In August, Oakland’s <a
href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Block-the-Boat-for-Gaza/256406377889015?sk=info&ref=page_internal"
onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.facebook.com']);"
target="_blank">Block the Boat for Gaza</a> reached out to
LA allies, asking the latter to form its own branch. The
advocates understood that any vessel unable to dock in Oakland
could simply move south and unload in an LA port. They
consequently organized an informational picket on 13 August,
in which 50 activists asked port workers for support in future
community pickets.</p>
<p>On 23 August, Block the Boat LA, held its first successful
protest. Approximately 250 protesters met from roughly 6
to 8:10 am, at which point the picket was declared successful
and the workers went home. The little time that the action
required demonstrated its efficacy, and inspired activists to
continue moving forward.</p>
<div>Block the Boat LA has remained busy. In mid September,
Block the Boat LA and Oakland representatives spoke at the <a
href="http://www.endtheoccupation.org/section.php?id=477"
onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.endtheoccupation.org']);"
target="_blank">US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation
13th Annual National Organizers’ Conference</a> in San
Diego, and organizers received national recognition among the
larger Boycott, Divest, and Sanction Movement, of which it
sees itself an important part.</div>
<p>The activists have too tried to strengthen their ties with
local dock workers and unions. Block the Boat LA
representatives attended various union meetings for ILWU Local
13 and Teamsters Local 848. On 4 October, activists held
another informational picket, reaching out to dock laborers
and port truckers.</p>
<p>Organizers told me they expect, as in their past
demonstrations, to have hundreds of activists and workers in
attendance at their 18 October protest. They also hope to
reach non-union port truckers, in addition to the
rank-and-file members of the local unions with whom they have
worked.</p>
<p>The activists were incredibly accommodating, and included
English-, Spanish-, and Arabic-language contacts in their <a
href="http://bennorton.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Block-the-Boat-LA-10-16-Press-Release.pdf"
onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','download','http://bennorton.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Block-the-Boat-LA-10-16-Press-Release.pdf']);"
target="_blank">press release</a>. Block the Boat LA
expressed optimism at its future, telling me that it “will
continue to build with labor organizations, religious-based
organizations, social justice organizations and the community
at large.”</p>
<p>The organization itself is already a coalition of 18 civic
engagement groups. It sees reaching out to a variety of
community organizations as vital to building a strong, diverse
base. Block the Boat activist Vicki Tamoush explained that “As
a person of faith I see the protest against the Zim Savannah
to stand against the injustice happening everyday in
Palestine. My conscious tells me that killing 500 innocent
children during Operation Protective Edge was wrong and that
Israel should be held accountable.”</p>
<p>For those unable to physically attend the demonstration,
activists recommend following and spreading the
#BlockTheBoatLA tag on Twitter and Facebook.</p>
<p><strong>Oakland’s Block the Boat for Gaza</strong></p>
<p>On 25 October, Palestinian human rights advocates in Oakland
will be holding <a
href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1447374682195857/"
onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.facebook.com']);"
target="_blank">another Block the Boat action</a>. Activists
will meet at West Oakland Bart, at the Port of Oakland, at 5
am, and march to Berth 57.</p>
<p>I got in touch with Oakland Block the Boat activists as well.
In their public <a
href="http://bennorton.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Call-to-Action-BTB.pdf"
onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','download','http://bennorton.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Call-to-Action-BTB.pdf']);"
target="_blank">Call to Action</a>, they call for four
simple demands:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>End the siege on Gaza!<br>
End the colonial occupation of Palestine!<br>
Right of return for all Palestinian refugees!<br>
Free all political prisoners!</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The activists see themselves as part of the larger,
international <a href="http://www.bdsmovement.net/"
onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.bdsmovement.net']);"
target="_blank">Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement</a>,
which maintains the same goals. Their ultimate goal is to
“Take the wind out of Zim’s sails!”, to boycott the company
and prevent Israeli ships from docking in any port, until
their demands are met, until Palestinian human rights are
respected. In their Call to Action, they proclaim: “Not in
Palestine, not in the Bay, not anywhere. Stand against Zionism
everywhere!”</p>
<p>Block the Boat for Gaza, like its counterpart in LA, has
reached out to local workers and unions, educating and handing
out <a
href="http://bennorton.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/BtB-Worker-Outreach-Flyer-v5-TF.pdf"
onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','download','http://bennorton.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/BtB-Worker-Outreach-Flyer-v5-TF.pdf']);"
target="_blank">fliers</a>. Moreover, <a
href="http://www.counterpunch.org/2014/08/29/the-struggles-in-palestine-and-ferguson-are-one/"
target="_blank">like many Palestinian organizations</a>,
Oakland Block the Boat organizers have noted the close ties
between Israeli corporations like Zim and other forms of
repression and oppression around the world, writing:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>The apartheid state of Israel not only impacts
Palestinians, but also plays a role in the oppression of
communities all across the globe. The Zim shipping line is
instrumental in upholding this system of global repression.
There are direct ties—training, weapons, and
surveillance—between Israel’s occupation of Palestine and
the increasingly militarized occupation of black and brown
communities in the United States. And it is now a well-known
fact that police departments in and around Ferguson,
Missouri, have received training from Israel.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The Oakland activists say they “salute the longshoremen who
stood with the Palestinian people by honoring our Block the
Boat picket and refusing to unload Zim in” both August and
September, and are calling on the workers to do the same in
October.</p>
<p>Organizers of Block the Boat for Gaza note that although
Israel’s military assault on Gaza was “halted, thanks to the
Palestinian resistance,” the struggle is not over. “With the
full support of the US government, Israel continues to carry
out its brutal occupation, confiscate more land and build more
settlements, imprison thousands of Palestinians, and maintain
the siege on Gaza as part of its policy of ethnic cleansing.”</p>
<p>US Palestinian activists recognize their complicity in
fueling this occupation, repression, and ethnic cleansing, as <a
href="http://www.jpost.com/International/House-spending-bill-includes-full-31-billion-for-Israel-338398"
onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.jpost.com']);"
target="_blank">$3.1 billion of the tax dollars they pay go
to Israel each year</a>. US allies are tired of their
government bankrolling Israel’s destruction of Gaza, and seek
a new, more direct strategy to force their government to
listen to their calls, to practice democracy.</p>
<p>The Block the Boat movement sees itself as the next step in a
long line of dock organizing. Block the Boat for Gaza pointed
out that:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Ports have historically been places for workers to assert
their power and make social change. During apartheid in
South Africa, ILWU workers refused to unload South African
cargo in San Francisco in 1984. This action was a major
catalyst for international anti-apartheid solidarity that
helped topple the apartheid regime of South Africa.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>As Israel’s crimes against the Palestinian people become more
and more flagrant, as <a
href="http://www.haaretz.com/news/features/.premium-1.611822"
onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.haaretz.com']);"
target="_blank">racism</a> in <a
href="http://www.vice.com/read/israeli-racism-gaza-kleinfeld-511"
onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.vice.com']);"
target="_blank">Israeli</a> society becomes <a
href="http://therealnews.com/t2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=74&jumival=9990"
onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://therealnews.com']);"
target="_blank">more</a> and more <a
href="http://www.davidsheen.com/racism/"
onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.davidsheen.com']);"
target="_blank">extreme</a>, and as the world stands up and
says enough to the colonization, occupation, and torture of
the indigenous Palestinians, activists are taking matters into
their own hands. <a
href="http://rt.com/op-edge/179704-public-support-for-palestine-worldwide/"
onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://rt.com']);"
target="_blank">Public support for Palestine is growing,
around the world</a>. Block the Boat, and myriad actions
like it, continue to grow. The world’s peoples are standing up
for human rights, freedom, and dignity. This is how history is
made. It always has been, and it always will be.</p>
<p><em><strong>Ben Norton</strong> is an artist and activist.
His website can be found at <a
href="http://www.bennorton.com/"
onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.bennorton.com']);">http://bennorton.com/</a>.</em></p>
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