Occupy Protest Partly Shuts Down Ports

Hundreds of Occupy Wall Street protesters turned out today for a demonstration that succeeded in partially shutting down some of the West Coast's busiest ports. Authorities closed two terminals in Portland after arresting two people with weapons who claimed to be heading for the protest, the AP reports, while in Oakland shipping companies effectively closed two more by sending home 150 workers. In Longview, Washington, all workers were sent home over concerns for their safety.

At other ports, the protests significantly backed up truck traffic. But police said there were few major disruptions, and no major altercations with the protesters. The protest was primarily targeted at SSA Marine, a shipping company partially owned by Goldman Sachs—though that point was lost on some truckers. "This is a joke," one complained. "What are they protesting? It only hurts me and the other drivers." (More Occupy Wall Street stories.)