Roberta Aguirre
On March 13, 2024, San Francisco International Airport (SFO) became the site of a demonstration by pro-Palestinian protesters demanding a cease-fire in Gaza. The protest caused some disruption, with SFO rerouting passengers and vehicles around the protest activity. Protesters blocked security gates and traffic into the airport's international terminal, with some travelers expressing frustration at the inconvenience caused. Despite the noise and chaos, flights still departed on time, and there were no reports of arrests.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | March 13, 2024 |
| Time | 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. |
| Location | San Francisco International Airport (SFO) |
| Protesters | Pro-Palestinian, anti-war |
| Number of Protesters | At least 200 |
| Affected Areas | Security gates, roadways, curb outside the airport |
| Protest Activities | Chanting, marching in circles, blocking gates and traffic, holding banners |
| Response | Rerouting passengers, alternate drop-off and pick-up locations, law enforcement presence |
| Impact on Flights | No known delays or cancellations |
| Arrests | None reported |
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What You'll Learn
Protests demanding a Gaza ceasefire
On March 13, 2024, San Francisco International Airport (SFO) became the site of a demonstration by pro-Palestinian protesters demanding a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. The protest caused some chaos at the airport, with SFO rerouting passengers and vehicles around the demonstration. Despite this, flights still took off on time, and there were no known delays to BART services at SFO. Protesters flooded the international terminal and curb outside, waving a banner that read "Stop the World for Gaza". Activists also locked arms and blocked Gate G at Terminal 1, while others marched in a circle on the road outside the airport and chanted inside the building.
The protest lasted 153 minutes, symbolising the 153 days of the Israel-Hamas war that had taken place at that point. The demonstrators had cleared out by noon, and there were no arrests. While some travellers were inconvenienced and frustrated by the protest, a spokesperson for the airport confirmed that the terminal remained open, and that they were rerouting passengers.
The protest in San Francisco was not an isolated incident. There have been large protests ahead of U.S. President Joe Biden's State of the Union address and the Oscars. Demonstrators have also regularly interrupted Biden's campaign events and speeches. In December 2024, thousands of Israelis also protested in Tel Aviv, demanding a Gaza hostage deal. This followed more than 14 months of war between Israel and Hamas, with Hamas militants abducting 251 hostages during their October 2023 attack, 96 of whom remained in Gaza.
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SFO rerouting passengers
On 13 March 2024, pro-Palestinian protesters flooded the international terminal of San Francisco International Airport (SFO), calling for a permanent ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war that was raging in Gaza. The protest began around 8:30 a.m. and lasted for 153 minutes—one minute for each day of the Israel-Hamas conflict. Protesters held banners that read "Stop the World for Gaza", "Permanent Ceasefire", and "Stop Arming Israel". They blocked security gates and traffic into the airport, causing congestion and disruption.
In response to the protest, SFO implemented rerouting measures for passengers to avoid the protest activity. The airport advised travellers to use alternate routes and entrances to access the international terminal. Specifically, passengers were encouraged to be dropped off at the rental car centre and take the AirTrain to the terminal. Those travelling by taxi or rideshare services were instructed to use the domestic terminals for pick-up and drop-off. Despite the protest and the resulting chaos, SFO officials maintained that the terminal remained open and operational. They assured that flights were taking off on time and there were no known delays.
The protest caused mixed reactions among travellers. Some expressed frustration and inconvenience, especially those with young families or tight travel schedules. Others recognised the importance of raising awareness about the Gaza conflict and reaching a global audience, despite the disruption it caused. Protest organisers emphasised their commitment to non-violent demonstration and coordination with airport authorities to minimise impact on passengers.
While the protest did cause temporary disruption, SFO was able to effectively reroute passengers and maintain airport operations. By noon, the protest had dispersed, and normal activities resumed at the international terminal. No arrests were reported, and travellers were able to continue their journeys, albeit with some delays and detours. This incident highlights the challenges of balancing the right to protest with the smooth functioning of critical infrastructure like airports.
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Blocking of security gates and traffic
On March 13, 2024, San Francisco International Airport (SFO) was the site of a demonstration by pro-Palestinian protesters demanding a ceasefire in Gaza. The protest caused the shutdown of security gates and the blockage of roadways outside the airport. Protesters flooded the international terminal and curb outside the airport, waving a banner that read "Stop the World for Gaza". Activists blocked Gate G at Terminal 1 by locking arms, while others marched in circles on the road, causing chaos and disrupting travellers seeking to reach the terminal.
SFO implemented measures to reroute passengers and advised travellers to use alternative drop-off and pick-up locations, such as the rental car center and domestic terminals. Despite the protest, flights operated on schedule, and the airport resumed normal operations after the protest ended.
Protesters blocking traffic and security gates can cause significant disruption and inconvenience to travellers and airport operations. In such situations, it is crucial for airport authorities to prioritize the safety and efficient flow of passengers. Implementing alternative routes and providing clear communication to travellers are essential steps to managing the impact of protests.
Additionally, the presence of a large group of protesters can quickly turn disorderly and pose challenges for authorities in controlling the situation. It is important for businesses and authorities to have strategies in place to protect their property and maintain order during such demonstrations. This includes utilizing physical security gates, which act as a barrier to prevent damage and provide quick and easy protection for businesses located near protest sites.
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Impact on travellers
On 13 March 2024, pro-Palestinian protesters flooded the international terminal of San Francisco International Airport (SFO), calling for a permanent ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war that was raging in Gaza. The protest caused significant disruption for travellers, with SFO rerouting passengers and advising those seeking to reach the international terminal to get dropped off at the rental car centre and take an air train to the terminal.
Protesters blocked security gates and traffic into the airport, with groups gathering in front of the A and G international gates, linking arms, and holding banners with slogans such as "Stop the World for Gaza" and "Stop Arming Israel". One traveller expressed frustration at the protest, stating that while they supported the demonstrators' right to express their viewpoint, disrupting travel was not the right way to do so. Another traveller, who was travelling internationally with their infant and wife, complained about protesters blocking security gates and shouting slogans, causing them to miss their flight.
Despite the chaos, SFO officials maintained that the terminal remained open and operational, with flights taking off on time. SFO spokesperson Doug Yakel confirmed that passengers were being rerouted to avoid the protest and that alternate plans were implemented to ensure passengers could get to their destinations. He also commended the protest leaders for adhering to their commitments and ending their activity at the agreed-upon time.
The protest lasted for 153 minutes, symbolising one minute for each day the Israel-Hamas war had lasted at that point. By noon, protesters had dispersed, and the roadways and areas around the airport were cleared. While the protest caused inconvenience and frustration for travellers, it successfully drew attention to the issue of the Israel-Hamas conflict and the devastating impact on Gaza.
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Protesters' motivations
On March 13, 2024, protesters flooded the international terminal and curb outside the San Francisco International Airport (SFO), calling for a permanent ceasefire and an end to the violence in Gaza. The protest lasted 153 minutes, one minute for each day the Israel-Hamas war had lasted, which began on October 7, 2023.
The protesters' motivations were driven by their shared desire for an immediate end to the conflict between Israel and Palestine, specifically in the Gaza region, and for a cessation of US military aid to Israel. They sought to bring attention to the human toll of the violence, with reports of nearly 30,000 Palestinian deaths and the displacement of Gaza's 2.3 million population. The protest was part of a larger movement across the nation and the Bay Area, with a notable previous demonstration occurring on the Bay Bridge in November 2023, where protesters called on world leaders to end the war.
The protesters' choice of SFO's international terminal was likely intentional, as they sought to highlight the global nature of the Israel-Gaza conflict. They specifically targeted Gate G, which is associated with East and Southeast Asian destinations, and Gate A, which services more European flights. This may have been a strategic decision to reach a diverse international audience and garner international attention for their cause.
While the protesters' primary motivation was to advocate for a ceasefire in Gaza, some bystanders and travellers perceived their actions as disruptive and inconvenient. Some questioned the effectiveness of protesting at an airport, suggesting that other venues, such as the White House, might be more appropriate to draw attention to their cause without impeding travellers. However, the protesters believed that their actions were necessary to make their voices heard and bring awareness to the urgency of the situation in Gaza.
In addition to the Gaza ceasefire protests, SFO has also been the site of labour protests by airport workers demanding higher wages and safer working conditions. These protests were part of a national movement to address issues of low pay and unfair working conditions for airport staff.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, on March 13, 2024, San Francisco International Airport (SFO) was crowded by protesters demanding a cease-fire in Gaza. The protest lasted 153 minutes, symbolizing one minute for each day of the Israel-Hamas war. Protesters blocked security gates and traffic, causing rerouting of passengers and vehicles.
While the protest caused crowding and congestion at the airport, SFO officials stated that airport operations were unaffected and flights took off on time. Passengers were rerouted to avoid the protest areas, and alternate routes were suggested for those travelling to the airport.
No arrests were reported during the protest. Law enforcement units arrived at the scene, but protesters began to disperse soon after, and by noon, the protest had ended without any arrests.
