Over 80 arrested in San Francisco during hotel workers' demonstration Wednesday
Hundreds of striking hotel workers in San Francisco demonstrating Wednesday evening blocked streets by Union Square, authorities said. October 30, 2024
SAN FRANCISCO - Dozens of striking hotel workers in San Francisco were arrested Wednesday evening during a demonstration near Union Square, according to the union.
Around 85 striking hotel workers and supporters were arrested for blocking traffic on the cable car tracks on Powell Street, the union said. The San Francisco Police Department confirmed the number who were arrested to KTVU. Police said they gave a dispersal order at 5:32 p.m. to protesters who refused to get up and who were blocking traffic.
"Officers developed probable cause to arrest 85 suspects who refused to comply. There were no reported injuries as a result of the incident," police said.
Police said 84 suspects were cited and released from Northern Station for obstruction of free movement. One suspect was cited and released.
Protestors called for a new contract and better wages, affordable health care and the restoration of jobs cut during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The workers are represented by Unite Here Local 2 and have been on strike since September.
On Wednesday, throngs of demonstrators blocked streets by Union Square, effectively shutting down Powell Street between Geary Boulevard and O'Farrell street. The street was jammed with protesters carrying signs that read "Bet on SF" and they chanted "no contract, no peace."
City officials alerted the public to avoid the area through the Department of Emergency Management's Nixle alert. They said the "civic demonstration" was resolved at around 7:45 p.m.
The striking workers are from the San Francisco Marriott Union Square, the Grand Hyatt San Francisco Union Square, and the Hilton San Francisco Union Square.
The ongoing strike includes 2,000 housekeepers, bellhops, cooks, dishwashers, doormen, servers and bartenders, according to the union.
Before the arrests on social media, UNITE HERE Local 2, the union representing the workers posted, "Bet on SF. Hotel workers love San Francisco – and we're going to fight for it. We want the hotels to invest in this city and the workers. They can use their billions to help end the doom loop."
SFPD said this remains an open and active investigation.
KTVU contributed to this report.
Hundreds of striking hotel workers in San Francisco demonstrating Wednesday evening blocked streets by Union Square, authorities said. October 30, 2024Hundreds of striking hotel workers in San Francisco demonstrating Wednesday evening blocked streets
Featured
Marriott Union Square becomes 4th hotel hit by workers' strike
The San Francisco Marriott Union Square became the city's fourth major hotel contending with a strike, union officials said Friday.