Thousands of people took to the streets of San Francisco yesterday, closing down the 101 highway and demanding an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. 

The demonstrators clashed with San Franciso police as the latter tried to prevent them from blocking the main road of the city. 

This protest came ahead of the UN Security Council meeting set to occur this evening for a vote on an Algerian resolution requesting an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. However, the US has presented a counter-resolution condemning Hamas and labeling it as a "terrorist organization" which will also be voted on this evening.

Thousands of San Francisco residents flood the streets to shut down the 101 highway, demanding an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. pic.twitter.com/tlJYfrMjNQ

— lyndsey (@lyndsey02857009) February 20, 2024

Amnesty International: 'Israel' must end the occupation of Palestine

In a report published on Monday, Amnesty International asserted that "Israel" must cease its brutal occupation of Gaza and the West Bank, including occupied east al-Quds, which has persisted since 1967. This statement came as public hearings commenced at the International Court of Justice  (ICJ) to decide the legal ramifications of "Israel's" prolonged occupation.

“Israel’s occupation of Palestine is the longest and one of the most deadly military occupations in the world. For decades it has been characterised by widespread and systematic human rights violations against Palestinians. The occupation has also enabled and entrenched the Israeli system of apartheid imposed on Palestinians,” said Agnes Callamard, Amnesty International’s Secretary General. 

She added, “Over the years, Israel’s military occupation has evolved into a perpetual occupation in flagrant violation of international law."

Unions unite against genocide

On Friday, seven national and over 200 local labor unions in the United States announced the formation of a coalition aimed at advocating for a ceasefire to end the genocidal war in Gaza. 

The American Postal Workers Union (APWU), the Association of Flight Attendants, the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, the National Education Association, National Nurses United (NNU), the United Auto Workers (UAW), and the United Electrical Workers (UE), along with 200 local unions and labor organizations, have joined forces to launch the National Labor Network for a ceasefire (NLNC), aiming to "end the death and devastation" in Gaza.

The coalition stressed that it represents over 9 million union workers, constituting "more than half the labor movement in the United States."

In a statement, the NLNC said that the coalition stresses that it represents over 9 million union workers, constituting "more than half the labor movement in the United States."