San Francisco, March 31 (RHC)-- Protesters chained themselves to the gangway of a United States Navy ship that they said was headed to Gaza to provide support for Israel's genocidal war against the Palestinian people.  Dozens of demonstrators gathered at Pier 32 in San Francisco to protest a ceremony for the USNS Harvey Milk ship and its namesake that was attended by U.S. House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi and San Francisco Mayor London Breed.

A U.S. Navy spokesperson claimed that speculation the ship was headed for the Middle East was incorrect and the vessel was actually scheduled to depart for Norfolk, Virginia.  But he refused to say whether or not the Navy ship would continue on to Gaza, as the protesters asserted.  

Local media reported that authorities used bolt cutters to remove some demonstrators who had chained themselves to the ship’s gangway.  Ten women and four men were arrested for trespassing, with five also charged with resisting arrest, according to San Francisco police said.