Pro-Palestinian protesters plan to block Israeli-owned ship in Tacoma, Seattle

TACOMA, Wash. — Pro-Palestinian protesters plan to block an Israeli-owned ship at the Ports of Tacoma and Seattle Friday.

The cargo ship targeted by protesters is scheduled to arrive at 8 p.m. and stay for two days, but protesters say they will block the boat from unloading its shipment.

Last week in Oakland, hundreds of protesters blocked an Israeli ship from unloading its cargo for three consecutive days.

The ship is the ZIM Chicago.  ZIM is owned by an Israeli shipping company.

Pro-Palestinian protesters say they will lead a blockade when the ship arrives in Tacoma Friday and then in Seattle on Sunday because of what they call Israel's human rights violations and assault on the Gaza Strip.

KIRO 7 found flyers and a Facebook group with 600 members who plan on attending the local protests.

One truck driver at the Port of Seattle explained the effect the protests could have.

"It's not going to only affect me for my living, it's going to affect everyone else that counts on that material to go in and go out,” said Will Merrifield.

The last update from the protesters is that the ZIM Chicago was arriving at the Washington United Terminal at 6 p.m.

But the times can and do change and the ship is currently scheduled to arrive at 8 p.m.

KIRO 7 called the Port of Seattle Thursday about the protests. They say they can't talk about security measures they take, but said it will be business as usual.

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