Iraq War Protest shuts down West Coast ports.

SirNitram · Post by **SirNitram** » 2008-05-01 04:31pm

SAN FRANCISCO, May 1 (Reuters) - About 10,000 longshore workers that handle cargo along the West Coast of the United States stayed away from work on Thursday in a one-day protest against the war in Iraq, union officials said on Thursday.

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union reported that traffic had virtually come to a halt across the regions' ports including the largest, the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Oakland, Seattle and other ports along the coast between the Canadian and Mexican borders were also affected.

Union officials say many of the big shipping companies are profiting off the war.

"It's supposed to be quiet," said union spokesman Craig Merrilees. "When people don't go to work the docks are quiet."

Warsie · Post by **Warsie** » 2008-05-01 04:50pm

IIRC, this is part of a series of immigrants rights, anti-war and labor protests held today.

MKSheppard · Post by **MKSheppard** » 2008-05-01 04:54pm

Ah yes, May Day.

[R_H] · Post by **[R_H]** » 2008-05-01 05:01pm

MKSheppard wrote:Ah yes, May Day.

It's also the National Day of Prayer (pray the communism away

) and the National Day of Reason today. The National Day of Prayer is the first Thursday of every May, I was totally flabbergasted when I saw that the NDP was on the 1st of May, I initially thought it was some retarded McCarthy anti-communism bullshit to counter May Day.

Warsie · Post by **Warsie** » 2008-05-01 05:11pm

[R_H] wrote: I was totally flabbergasted when I saw that the NDP was on the 1st of May, I initially thought it was some retarded McCarthy anti-communism bullshit to counter May Day.

That's Law Day (in the USA)

Kanastrous · Post by **Kanastrous** » 2008-05-01 05:14pm

I still wonder why we don't take May Day as a union holiday.

[R_H] · Post by **[R_H]** » 2008-05-01 05:15pm

Warsie wrote: That's Law Day (in the USA)

You've got to be shitting me...but you're not. Why is Loyalty Day on May 1st as well?

Warsie · Post by **Warsie** » 2008-05-01 06:16pm

[R_H] wrote:
Warsie wrote: That's Law Day (in the USA)
You've got to be shitting me...but you're not. Why is Loyalty Day on May 1st as well?

same reason, to counter May Day that was perceived to be "communist", and therefore evil and against all that Middle America holds "good"

Warsie · Post by **Warsie** » 2008-05-01 06:17pm

Basically to get the citizens to re-affirm and maintain their loyalty to the powers that be-i.e. to be reminded to be good slaves.

Though it is rarely mentioned in the media now.

Mr. Coffee · Post by **Mr. Coffee** » 2008-05-01 06:52pm

So when is Bitch Slap A Hippie Day?

tim31 · Post by **tim31** » 2008-05-01 06:54pm

August 6th.

Mr. Coffee · Post by **Mr. Coffee** » 2008-05-01 07:05pm

tim31 wrote:August 6th.

Tim, that is quite possibly one of the coolest posts you've ever made... Stay golden, man.

Warsie · Post by **Warsie** » 2008-05-01 07:10pm

Me wrote: Though it is rarely mentioned in the media now.

Add-on. Now, Lou Dobbs is parading how Law Day celebrates "the rule of law" and the like and attacking these parades, not mentioning May Day at all. "Law Day 2008, and people are protesting and violating those laws". I expect FOX to mention it as well, especially O'Reilly and Hannity.

Fingolfin_Noldor · Post by **Fingolfin_Noldor** » 2008-05-01 09:41pm

I see that the anti-communism strain still sticks in the US, like some herpes.

Mr. Coffee · Post by **Mr. Coffee** » 2008-05-01 09:50pm

I won't let you pollute our precious fluids, ya damned dirty commies!

Post by **Sea Skimmer** » 2008-05-02 12:18am

I’m pretty sure the US loads most Iraq war supplies through east and gulf coast ports, seeing how it’s a shorter trip, closer to the majority of Army and Marine bases and avoids traversing the straights of Malacca.

KlavoHunter · Post by **KlavoHunter** » 2008-05-02 03:16am

tim31 wrote:August 6th.

Fucking awesome.

Ender · Post by **Ender** » 2008-05-02 10:05am

Warsie wrote:IIRC, this is part of a series of immigrants rights, anti-war and labor protests held today.

And the fact that the union is going to renegotiate in July just doesn't factor into it?