Pro-Palestinian demonstrators disrupted Christmas weekend shopping in San Francisco’s Union Square, calling for an end to hostilities between Hamas and Israel and demanding charges be dropped against protesters who shut down the Bay Bridge.
The protesters, many from the Party for Socialism and Liberation, chanted slogans and blocked traffic, leading to one arrest.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported: “Hundreds of protesters gathered among holiday crowds in San Francisco’s central shopping district Saturday to call for an end to hostilities between Hamas and Israel, as well as for charges to be dropped against demonstrators who shut down the Bay Bridge last month.”
Pro-Palestinian protesters climb, toss ornaments off Union Square tree. It remains dark, potentially broken as @SFPD investigates @KPIXtv pic.twitter.com/NEGsjDK67m
— Betty Yu (@bett_yu) December 24, 2023
“Chanting ‘free Palestine’ and ‘cease-fire now’ while holding yellow protest signs that read ‘No Xmas as usual in a genocide’ and ‘DA Jenkins drop all charges on the Bay Bridge 78,’ the protesters — many of them representing the Party for Socialism and Liberation — stood outside the former Westfield mall on Market Street as holiday shopping was underway with Christmas just two days away.”
This is part of a nationwide trend of disrupting Christmas events, including the Rockefeller Center tree lighting in New York City.
The protest also adds to the challenges faced by retailers in Union Square, which has been impacted by crime and a recent exodus of retailers.