San Francisco protest calling for ceasefire in Gaza shuts down US 101 Central Freeway

Around 4:30 p.m. a large group of several thousand protesters marched up to the Central Freeway in San Francisco, stopping Saturday afternoon traffic while calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, as the recent deadly conflict enters the fourth week of massive death counts, endless bombardments and international furor.

The protest started earlier in the day at 1 p.m. at the Embarcadero, sponsored by a coalition of organizations including the Arab Resources and Organizing Center, Palestinian Youth Movement, and Jewish Voice for Peace – Bay Area.

CHP spokesman Mark Andrews said the protesters are on a quarter mile stretch of US 101, both north and southbound, between South Van Ness/Mission St. exit and Octavia Street.

“We basically have a blockade there, trying to contain them to that little quarter mile stretch,” Andrews said.

Andrews said the Bay Bridge has not been affected, but “if possible, try to avoid the area or take an alternative route.”