Protesters Gather Near Coast Guard Island In Alameda Ahead of Immigration Operation, at Least Two Already Injured

"A few protesters were already at the gates of Coast Guard Base Alameda at 5 am Thursday morning, as KTVU reports, after confirmation on Wednesday that President Trump's promised federal operation in the Bay Area would begin its staging there today. The 67-acre man-made island in the Oakland Estuary that is home to the base is not physically connected to Alameda Island, but is accessible by a two-lane bridge, the entrance of which is off Oakland's Embarcadero, at Dennison Street, near the Fruitvale and Jingletown neighborhoods."

"As KTVU reports, traffic on Embarcadero was at a "standstill" by 7:15 am, as the protest grew in size to around 200 or 300 people and, also, "There were clowns and balloon artists protesting in the street." There have reportedly already been a couple of injuries, with local pastor Jorge Bautista of Oakland telling KTVU that he had a smoke bomb go off in his face. "I came to say we're here in peace," Bautista told the station. "And he didn't care. There is nothing else to say, clearly he wanted to cause harm to me.""

"Mission Local posted a brief video that ends with a flash grenade going off, as protesters are shouting 'shame' at the bridge entrance, and as white vehicles can be seen hurrying onto the bridge. As of 9 am, Mission Local reported that the mood had lightened at the protest, and the song "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" was playing on a loudspeaker. "The mood has shifted from a stand off in the dark to skipping in the streets literally, there's a jump rope. Parents have brought their children," Miss"

Protesters assembled early at Coast Guard Base Alameda where federal agents planned to stage an immigrant round-up operation. The staging area is on Coast Guard Island, a 67-acre man-made island in the Oakland Estuary accessed by a two-lane bridge from Oakland's Embarcadero. By midmorning traffic stalled as roughly 200–300 people gathered, including clowns and balloon artists. Reports indicate at least two injuries: a pastor injured by a smoke bomb and a protester whose ankle was run over by an SUV. A flash grenade briefly detonated; later the atmosphere lightened with music and families present.

Read at sfist.com