** Last minute! Direct action — refusing Israeli ship at the port of Oakland this afternoon!

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To anyone who is available and interested: this morning a community picket line in combination with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union carried out an effective nonviolent action in support of the increasing movement to boycott Israeli goods after the recent flotilla attack . The Oakland dockworkers joined counterparts in South Africa, Norway, Sweden and Malaysia, who have declared they will refuse to unload Israeli ships in the coming weeks. It was a very important victory and a strategic nonviolent success.

The second round is ready to begin this afternoon at 4:30 pm, berth 58 at the Port of Oakland. Please join the activists and workers in this effort this afternoon if you can!

Check out a recent news report HERE. The dock workers, with the support of protesters, successfully negotiated to refuse to offload the Israeli ship. A second group of workers will arrive this afternoon, and with our support they can also make the decision not to work to unload the ship during this shift. The goal of this action is to resist the unloading for a minimum of 24 hours. This is a historic opportunity to support the shift toward a more nonviolent culture, by participating in an internationally-supported movement for Peace. Please attend if you can!

Original announcement follows:

6/20/2010 Oakland Labor Community Picket of an Israeli Zim Line ship

Submitted by solidarity on Tue, 2010-06-15 17:54. | | | |



START DATE: Sunday June 20

TIME: 5:30 AM – 5:30 PM

Location Details: Port of Oakland, Berth 57, Middle Harbor Rd

Join the Labor and Community Picket of an Israeli Zim Lines Ship—Oakland

Protest Israel’s Attack on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla!

Boycott Israeli Ships and Goods!

Lift the Blockade NOW – Let Gaza Live!

Bring Down Israel’s Apartheid Wall!

Unions, labor federations and other organizations around the world have condemned Israel’s deadly attack against the Gaza Freedom Flotilla on May 31. Nine people were killed and dozens seriously injured in the Israeli commando attack in international waters on ships attempting to bring humanitarian cargo to the suffering and blockaded people of Gaza. Six people aboard the ships are still missing and presumed dead.

The Israeli attack on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla was a blatant act of piracy on the high seas. No Israeli ship should now be allowed to carry on trading activity any where in the world without facing picket lines, protests and embargo. Dock workers in several countries including South Africa, Norway, Sweden and Malaysia have declared that they will refuse to handle Israeli cargo in the coming weeks.

We call on everyone who stands for justice and against occupation and apartheid to join the June 20 picket at the Port of Oakland. This is a moment of great opportunity. In San Francisco in 1984, a picket line and refusal to unload cargo of a ship carrying South African cargo was a key event in mobilizing the anti-apartheid movement worldwide.

Sponsored by: Labor / Community Committee in Solidarity with the People of Palestine:

Arab American Union Members Council, ANSWER (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism), Palestine Youth Network, US Palestine Community Network, Al Awda- Right to Return Coalition, Arab Youth Organization, MECA-Middle East Children’s Alliance, Students for Justice in Palestine, Arab Resource and Organizing Center, International Solidarity Movement, San Jose Peace and Justice Center, International Socialist Organization, Peace and Freedom Party – SF, Transport Workers Solidarity Committee and many labor activists in the Bay Area (list in formation).

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