Although the US media has chosen not to cover this as news, marine terminals closed across the West Coast early Thursday as longshoremen protested the war in Iraq
All 29 U.S. West Coast ports were at a standstill on Thursday because of a stoppage by longshore workers, a Pacific Maritime Association spokesman said.
"We are hearing there is no activity taking place up and down the West Coast," spokesman Steve Getzug told Reuters. The Pacific Maritime Association represents all 29 ports on the U.S. West Coast from San Diego to Washington. "There is no unloading or loading," Getzug said.
Guardian
Thousands of dockworkers at West Coast ports stayed off the job on Thursday in what their union said was a call for an end to the war in Iraq.
The International Longshore and Warehouse Union said more than 25,000 members in 29 ports stayed off the job. The action came despite an order issued Wednesday by an arbitrator directing the union to tell its members to report for work as usual in response to a request from employers.
"Longshore workers are standing down on the job and standing up for America," Bob McEllrath, the union’s president, said in a statement. "We’re supporting the troops and telling politicians in Washington that it’s time to end the war in Iraq."
The scene at most West Coast ports was quiet, without any scuffles or confrontations. The cranes used to unload container ships stood idle and few trucks were lined up outside gates.
NYTimes
Update [2008-5-1 17:57:52 by Cantinflas]:
The International Longshore and Warehouse Union in a press release dated May 1, 2008 announced that "more than 25,000 longshore workers at 29 west coast ports ae exercising ther eFirst Amendment rights by taking the day off work and calling for an end to the war in Iraq".