Protest Snarls Golden Gate Bridge Traffic: Report

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – A Labor Day protest in support of the Black Lives Matter movement and workers’ rights has snarled traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge according to multiple reports.

Protesters who gathered for the planned event were met by a heavy law enforcement presence, but the California Highway Patrol closed the right lanes in both directions after protesters jumped into the lanes, The San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Twitter user Brian King said CHP officers in body armor were seen displaying beanbag guns amid a crowd estimated at 100-150 according SFGate.

“This show of force for such a small crowd is ridiculous,” King wrote.

Protests are happening on the Golden Gate Bridge. CHP is stationing down the entire span, putting on body armor and getting out beanbag guns. This show of force for such a small crowd is ridiculous. pic.twitter.com/XuDboOgRqb
— Brian King (@bkbkbk) September 7, 2020

Traffic backed up to Wolfback Ridge Road and Main Post Tunnel, causing 30-minute delays according to the report.

There was no estimate for when the CHP would reopen the traffic lanes.

The "Whose Bridge?" protest was scheduled for 10 a.m.

View this post on Instagram

Whose bridge? Our bridge! #OURBRIDGE is the hashtag. Golden Gate, 10am Labor Day. No meeting point, unless you want to be part of volunteer crew - DM please. Walk in on your own, or with buddies - wear sun protection. Or drive on and keep looping around - slow on bridge, normal when off. #blacklivesmatter #blm #wallofmany #goldengatebridge #sanfrancisco
A post shared by ResistanceSF (@resistancesf) on Sep 5, 2020 at 9:45pm PDT

Bridge Public Affairs spokesperson told SFGate, The Chronicle’s sister publication, that officials were aware of the planned event and confirmed that traffic issues were lingering into the afternoon., that traffic issues were lingering into the afternoon.

KQED’s Kathleen Quillian posted video showing police in armored gear walking on the edge of the right lane keeping a watchful eye on protesters marching on the pedestrian path.

BLM protest on Golden Gate Bridge. pic.twitter.com/3MV1Uk0yFi
— Kathleen Quillian (@QuillianK) September 7, 2020

Read more at The San Francisco Chronicle