On April 7, 2003, in Oakland, California, United States, an anti-war protest occurred at the Port of Oakland. The non-violent protest was organized by Direct Action to Stop the War, a Bay Area peace group, which was protesting against American President Lines, alleging the company shipped arms and supplies for the U.S. military and was profiting from the war on Iraq.^[1]

The police fired wooden dowels projectiles, sting balls, concussion grenades, tear gas and other less-lethal weapons when protesters at the gates of two shipping lines at the port refused an order to disperse. Longshoremen and protestors were injured in the exchange.^[2]

The next month after the incident, on May 13, Direct Action to Stop the War again led a march of anti-war activists and community leaders from the West Oakland BART Station to five port gates, and the event remained peaceful.^[3][4]

Criminal charges against 24 activists and one longshoreman were brought and later dropped, and in February, 2005 the Oakland City Council paid $154,000 to 24 people who claimed they were hurt in the demonstration.^[5] In 2006, The New York Times reported upon an over $2 million settlement for "dozens of payouts" stemming from the incident, the reported size of the awards from the City ranging from $5,000 to $500,000.^[6]

This report from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) describes how 40 protesters, dock workers, and bystanders at an anti-war protest at the Port of Oakland were injured and sued the city of Oakland for “excessive force” by police. The police used wooden bullets, stun grenades, and “filler bullets” against the crowd, causing serious injuries.^[7]

A May 2003 People's World article describes a regrouping of over a thousand people after the initial protest, demanding the right to protest and an end to police brutality. It is noted that the police used violence against protesters and laborers, and that community groups and labor unions were present.^[8]

This source explains that after the protests, Auckland City Council established an independent police conduct review panel to investigate the violence used against protesters and workers. This source shows that public pressure led to efforts to hold police accountable and investigate police violence.^[9]

A document from the ILWU (International Longshoremen and Warehouse Union) discusses the state of the protest, the police response, and the cooperation of the trucking companies with the police to stop the protests. It shows that parts of the protest were supported by the labor union and that labor tensions played a significant role in the event.^[10]

A news report from SFGate says dozens of people were injured at the April 7 protest, police used tear gas and various projectiles, and at least 31 people were arrested. These were the largest protests against the Iraq War in the San Francisco Bay Area.^[11]