In Tacoma, a group of protesters converged on the docks where the military ship Cape Orlando was being loaded, expressing their concern that the vessel’s arms cargo could worsen the already tense situation in Gaza. Reports have cited over 10,000 fatalities among Palestinians due to the ongoing strife.
The protest included a diverse group of activists, one of whom was Wassim Hage from the Arab Resource and Organizing Center. Hage called out U.S. diplomatic stances towards Israel, spurred by inside information about the Cape Orlando’s concerning consignment. Pentagon official Jeff Jurgensen admitted the ship’s role in carrying U.S. military equipment but did not specify what was being transported.
The event also featured Indigenous voices, including Patricia Gonzalez of the Puyallup Tribe, who likened the Palestinian struggles to the historical injustices faced by her own people. Additionally, Jewish activist Abby Brook, who has spent time in Israel and the occupied territories, voiced her protest against American military support to Israel, inspired by her firsthand observations.
Earlier efforts to detain the Cape Orlando in Oakland saw protesters binding themselves to the ship, which resulted in a temporary halt. However, reports indicated that the loading process resumed under the cover of darkness in Tacoma.
The issue of U.S. military aid to Israel has been a point of contention, particularly following President Biden’s endorsement of further assistance. Human Rights Watch’s Sarah Yager has stressed the importance of legislative monitoring to prevent U.S. weaponry from being used in ways that defy international law.
Although the Tacoma port demonstration did not stop the Cape Orlando from being loaded, the activists viewed their actions as a victory in delaying the vessel and bringing attention to the need for greater scrutiny over U.S. arms exports in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
