Community Corner

Group Plans to Block the Boat in Tampa

The hope is to stop an Israeli ship from offloading cargo in the Port of Tampa.

A protest group is rallying supporters to join an early Saturday morning picket line that’s set to form at the Port of Tampa.

Block the Boat Tampa says it wants to stop the Israeli ship Zim Alabama from offloading any of its cargo in the port, according to an email to media. The picket is planned from 5:30 a.m. to about 2 p.m. at 2002 Maritime Blvd.

“Block the Boat Tampa stands in solidarity with the people of Gaza and all of Palestine who have been displaced, wounded, and killed,” the email stated. “In Tampa, we join the international Block the Boat movement to call for an end to the illegal Israeli occupation of the West Bank, and the siege of Gaza.”

Find out what's happening in Tampafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Organizers are asking local longshoremen to honor the picket. A similar effort was conducted back in August. That protest also targeted the Zim Alabama, WMNF reported.

The group has about 178 people signed up on its Facebook page to attend the Saturday protest.

Find out what's happening in Tampafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

What are your thoughts on this? Share them by commenting below!

Photo Credit: Patch file photo of cargo.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.