Tule Elk Protest at Point Reyes National Seashore

Around 60 protesters stuck their hands through the fence of the Tule Elk Preserve at Point Reyes National Seashore to represent the elk attempting to break free through the fence that surrounds the preserve. 

Activists, including ForElk.org and In Defense of Animals claim the Point Reyes tule elk are dying from neglect by the National Park Service, held a demonstration on September 13, 2020 at the fence of the Tule Elk Preserve on the 58th anniversary of Point Reyes National Seashore.

Spiraleena Mason of FreeElk.org speaks to about 60 protesters asking to take down the fence of the Tule Elk Preserve at Point Reyes.

Jack Gescheidt of the Tree Spirit Project (left) organizes a protest at the fence of the Tule Elk Preserve at Point Reyes National Seashore. 

The local media was on hand to record the protest.

 For Marin IJ story, click here.

The Orange Sky above San Francisco

  

Woke up at 6:30 for my SFGate shift to dark skies and thought: “Wow the days are getting shorter!” 

About 20 minutes later it was clear that the dark sky was caused by wildfire smoke filtering out the sun.

After a crazy morning sourcing images from social media, I went into SF to capture a few images myself. 

Well me and about five thousand other photographers. :)

What an insane year when an orange sky is only about the fourth or fifth worst issue of 2020. 

 

George Floyd protesters stop traffic on Golden Gate Bridge

A peaceful protest against the death of George Floyd and in support of Black Lives Matters on the Golden Gate Bridge turned tense Saturday afternoon after thousands of protesters entered the roadway halting traffic in both directions for over a half-hour. 

The California Highway Patrol was able to chase off most of the protesters, but several had to be removed by force onto the bridge’s pedestrian walkway. 

Before protesters entered the roadway, thousands gathered at the plaza in San Francisco at noon to start their march north to Marin.

California Highway Patrol officers rode a single file in the slow lane of the northbound roadway to block vehicles from being close to the protesters and to discourage any of them from leaving the pedestrian walkway. Many held signs chanting, “His name? George Floyd!” “Black Lives Matters,” and “No justice, no peace.”

Protesters stretched the whole span of the east pedestrian walkway.  At one point, protesters stopped their march and took a knee for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, the amount of time a Minneapolis police officer kneed George Floyd, who died at his hands. Some raised their fists in the air, a symbol of black power and unity.

It was during this point that protesters entered the northern roadway jumping over the railing from the east walkway. Eventually, protesters from the west walkway also jumped the fence.

California Highway Patrol officers were able to get traffic moving on the northern roadway within several minutes. Still, thousands of protesters marched on the southbound road for 20-25 minutes chanting and holding signs.

Then CHP motorcycle officers advanced from the Marin side of the bridge with sirens blaring and chased off most of the protesters back onto the pedestrian walkway.

A handful of protesters refused to leave the roadway and were forcibly removed to the fence separating the road from the pedestrian walkway and were told to climb over.

One protester, James Barham from Alameda, exchanged words with a CHP officer and refused to move. He was pushed in the chest by the officer and then joined by several other CHP officers to force Barham over the fence.

Stopped motorists honked their car horns in support...

...or raised their fists in the air in solidarity.

CHP moved other protestors that stopped traffic at the toll plaza and were able to get traffic moving. But the protesters had made their voices heard loud and clear.

To see more photos read the article on Marin IJ.

Eerily empty San Francisco as COVID-19 coronavirus spread continues

With the City of San Francisco announcing all events with over 1,000 people are banned, plus countless Bay Area companies issuing work from home orders, the city is noticeably light on foot traffic to start the week, oftentimes eerily so.

Here is how the city looks on March 11, 2020.

View all the photos on SFGate.