West Seattle traffic alert: Harbor Island protest this afternoon

(Photo added: Courtesy of Maris, who was bicycling through the area)
2:17 PM: Thanks to Leeann for the tip – low-bridge commuters and others driving in the Harbor Island vicinity might need this heads-up: Protesters say they’ll be staging at the Spokane Street Fishing Pier, east of the low bridge, at 4 pm today. They are protesting an arriving ship operated by an Israel-based company, the Zim Chicago (which is off Manchester as of this writing, per MarineTraffic.com), in opposition to Israel’s actions in the Gaza conflict. A similar protest is reported to have drawn more than 100 participants Saturday in Tacoma. The Port of Seattle’s schedule says Zim Chicago is coming in at Terminal 18.

6:03 PM: Yes, that’s why there’s a TV helicopter over the north end of West Seattle.

ADDED: One protester was arrested, per multiple reports (including the protest group itself).

B. August 25, 2014 (2:33 pm)

**CORRECTION NOTICE
The ship is NOT owned by an Israel-based company. The ship is owned by a German company named “HAMMONIA Reederei GmbH & Co. KG”

WSB August 25, 2014 (3:15 pm)

Zim still operates it, according to the newest information I could find – http://www.tradewindsnews.com/weekly/342469/Germans-take-management-of-Zim-boxships – its “management” was recently “awarded to” that German company, and then it was promptly chartered back to Zim. So I have changed the word “owned” to “operated.” Thanks. – Tracy

T Rex August 25, 2014 (4:02 pm)

Well this should bring some interesting posts.

Why did it anchor in Manchester? I saw it over the weekend and wondered why it was there.

Frogman August 25, 2014 (4:49 pm)

Seems there is usually at least two sides to a dispute.

Kevin August 25, 2014 (4:51 pm)

Just drove through there in my way home. Maybe 50 or so protestors (with more arriving) with signs. Cars and semi trucks honked their support while at least one news camera crew setup a shot or two. Seattle PD was at a nearby port entrance with a dozen or so bike officers. Another group of either SPD or port police were behind the port fence. Protesters were playing so pretty good Israeli hip hop we listened to while waiting for the bridge to open. :)

Kevin August 25, 2014 (5:40 pm)

Natasha Chen from KIRO is live tweeting from down there, FYI. http://twitter.com/NatashaKIRO7

Laurie August 25, 2014 (5:46 pm)

Just loving the racket from the hovering helicopter(s). NOT.

WSLiz August 25, 2014 (5:55 pm)

Is this what the helicopter flying around for the last 20 minutes or so is about?

WSB August 25, 2014 (5:59 pm)

Yes, that’s the only possible reason for the chopper that we know of … at least one TV station is covering the demonstration (7), likely theirs.