All lanes of Interstate 880 reopened in Oakland after hundreds of protesters gathered near two exits, closing lanes in both directions for several hours, authorities said Monday.
One group of protesters, who were part of a global economic blockade demonstration calling for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war, arrived shortly after 6 a.m. on northbound I-880 lanes south of the Fifth Avenue exit.
A traffic alert was issued at 6:49 a.m. for northbound I-880 lanes south of Fifth Avenue due to police activity, with drivers advised to avoid the area and seek alternate routes. Big-rig truck traffic was allowed along westbound I-580 lanes for the duration of the alert, the CHP said.
“Units are responding right now, and we’ll try to get it cleared up quickly,” a CHP spokesperson told reporters.
When CHP officers arrived, they found protesters attached with heavy-duty chains to cement-filled 55-gallon drums. “This required the use of jackhammers and heavy-duty saws to remove these devices before protesters could be arrested,” the CHP said. Seven protesters were arrested after lanes, which began reopening around 10 a.m., fully opened at 1:15 p.m.
Around 8:15 a.m., a group of protesters walked over from the West Oakland BART station and began blocking southbound I-880 lanes near the Seventh Street exit, the CHP said. After a wait for law enforcement resources in advance of further responses, lanes began reopening at 12:30 p.m. and were fully open by 1 p.m. Five people were arrested, with protesters cleared onto city streets outside an on-ramp.
It’s unclear if the protest is affecting operations at the nearby Port of Oakland, but an account on the X platform said anticipated protests on-site had led the port to close for the day shift. The Standard has contacted port spokespersons for comment.
According to ABC7, organizers say the protests are a part of A15, a worldwide economic blockade in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza and calling for an arms embargo and an end to U.S. taxpayer funding for Israel. Monday is the tax deadline for most Americans.
Protests against the conflict and the United States support of Israel have been a regular occurrence in San Francisco and around the region. Activists have organized high-profile demonstrations, blocking major bridges and intersections in the city.