Early morning clashes. Image by movementphotographer. Coast Guard bridge, Oakland, CA
As Federal agents began attempting to cross a bridge between a small, federally controlled island in the San Francisco Bay and into Alameda County, Oakland, they were met with a wall of peaceful, human picketers.
Near dawn, on Thursday morning (10/23/25) ICE and CBP agents began firing flash bang grenades at point-blank range into a picket line of interfaith leaders and community members on the bridge. Two people were injured, one being a member of the clergy.
Early morning clashes. Image by movementphotographer. Coast Guard bridge, Oakland, CA
Since the early morning clash, the picket line has been largely unbroken and unmolested by federal agents. Protesters began walking in a continuous circle through the crosswalks leading to the bridge, because in California, pedestrians legally have the right of way.
Once federal vehicles stopped attempting to drive across the bridge, members of the United States Coast Guard took up posts on the bridge. Some USCG members were shaking hands with protesters who approached them in a friendly and non-menacing manner. One protester with a sign that read “you swore to support and defend the constitution —no kings,” and a Coast Guard member who seemed to be reading her sign, nodded at her.
ICE and CPD chose the Coast Guard Base in Alameda as their temporary Headquarters because the Coast Guard is under the same Department of Homeland Security jurisdiction. There is one bridge connecting the federal base to the City of Oakland. On the federal side of the bridge, trucks and barriers were placed, forming a blockade. And on the California/Oakland side of the bridge, people sat and walked in the crosswalk, peacefully blocking the bridge with their bodies.
Coast Guard Island circa May 2009. Public Domain.
Protestors were singing, walking, and dancing, while a clown was performing. Several news outlets were interviewing people, including several clergy people. An artist set up their easel and began painting the moment.
An artist paints the picket line of the Alameda Island Coast Guard Base
It is plausible to assume that federal agents may choose a different staging area for ICE raids in the Bay Area, given the limited and restricted access to the Coast Guard base, and how easily the bridge can be blocked by protesters.
More to come. Be Safe.
