by Amanda Witherell
Seven protesters were disarmed of their placards and arrested Sunday when they crossed from public to private property at Pier 33 1/2. Arrests have been made for two weekends in a row as dozens of protesting union employees have continued to gather on the Embarcadero in front of the pier, which is the new launch and ticketing station for the ferry service to Alcatraz Island.
Signs that read “get a refund” and voices that shouted “don’t go on the boat” continued to pierce the air as two dozen police officers and a bevy of private security held back the protesters to let the paddy wagon through. At the outskirts of the crowd, union members spoke with visitors queuing in front of the ticket kiosk, trying to convince them to boycott the ferry and spend their tourist dollars more responsibly.
The seven were taken into custody for entering the landing area without invitations or tickets to ride the ferry. Though owned by the city and patrolled by the Port, the pier is leased to Hornblower Cruises and considered private property. Terry MacRae, owner of the ferry service, will be pressing charges.