Dozens of federal agents arrived at Coast Guard Island near Alameda on Thursday, igniting tensions as protesters attempted to block access to the base. The situation escalated when law enforcement used crowd control measures, including flash bangs, in an effort to disperse the demonstrators.
Eyewitness footage captured a vehicle running over a protester, identified as Matthew Leber from Team Berkeley. Fortunately, he sustained only minor injuries. Leber described the incident, stating, “I was helping traffic … asking people to be peaceful not to drive through crowds of people … and then I started to walk away, and he drove forward and ran over my foot.” He expressed his determination and pride in the protest, affirming he was feeling fine despite the incident.
Protesters began gathering early in the day, walking in organized groups across a crosswalk near the entrance to the base. As armed agents arrived to manage the situation, they forced demonstrators off the roadway to allow vehicles to enter the base.
Reports indicated that between 60 to 100 federal agents, including U.S. Customs and Border Patrol personnel, were dispatched to the site as part of a significant immigration enforcement operation under the Trump administration. Coast Guard Island is a facility managed by the Department of Homeland Security, underscoring the federal nature of the activities taking place.
This situation is ongoing, and updates will continue as more information becomes available.