Pro-Palestinian protest disrupts holiday shopping in San Francisco
SAN FRANCISCO -- On the Saturday, the holiday glow that usually lights up Union Square in the heart of San Francisco's shopping district was missing. Wrecked ornaments from the broken Union Square Christmas tree lay on the ground after Pro-Palestinian protesters climbed on it, attaching Palestinian flags and a sign that read "No Xmas As Usual in a Genocide."
Like hundreds of others, Oakland resident Kenya Akbar, who came to take holiday pictures, was greeted by a darkened tree.
"I feel disappointed. I thought it was a joke. I asked the security guard, 'are the lights coming on in five minutes at 6?' And he's like 'no, the tree's broken,''" Akbar said. "Feels weird, this big beautiful tree is just dark."
Protesters took to the ice skating rink, causing it to be shut down for several hours at a time when Union Square was packed with visitors.
San Francisco police said they arrested several protesters for committing crimes ranging from assault to felony vandalism. At least one officer said he was struck in the head with an object.
Protesters called for a ceasefire in Gaza.
"I understand the anger that they're feeling but it's not going to help coming through San Francisco and Oakland destroying beautiful monuments and trees -- Christmas trees, decorations -- it's not going to help," Akbar said .
Vincent Longmire came from Berkeley with his friends.
"I just wanted to go ice skating because its my first day of break after finals," he said. "The things that are happening now -- people are very emotional now and they want to be heard but I think there should be other ways."
After marching down Market Street the group moved to Union Square to disrupt the holiday shopping rush, according to police. They ended up clashing with officers.
"When you hear people here chant, 'while you're shopping bombs are dropping,' that's exactly what's happening. We have the privilege and the luxury here in the United States to sit beside our families during the holidays and celebrate and be amongst each other," said Rami Abdelkarim with the Palestinian Youth Movement.
There was a heavy police presence throughout the night, as thousands still enjoyed the festivities, including Winter Walk on Stockton Street. The Union Square skating rink eventually reopened around 5:30 p.m.
"We're going to go ice skating, try to make the best of it," Akbar said.