A BART worker is standing by with bolt cutters #BARTFriday #BARTprotest pic.twitter.com/JjTS085JRP
— KQED News (@KQEDnews) January 16, 2015
As you know, a demonstration planned for today at Montgomery BART station was intended to snarl the morning commute, but it didn't (not really). Planned for 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. today, demonstrators said they wanted to ensure that "there will be no business as usual anywhere or for anyone." Their demands for the transit agency: Drop charges and restitution against protesters who shut down BART in a November demonstration, disband the BART police, and offer low-income ticket discounts. We old-school live-blogged the civil action below, but here's the summary: though stations closed from time to time to prevent protesters from getting a foothold, by and large the commute was, dare we say, business as usual.
7:11 a.m.: Scheduled to kick off at 7 a.m., protesters have just started to gather. And we finally have an explanation for the request from organizers that they bring metal spoons! They are banging them on the floor, walls, and poles.
Those metal spoons? They're currently making a ruckus against the metal pillars #BARTFriday pic.twitter.com/7SEaMKt70B
— KQED News (@KQEDnews) January 16, 2015
Other than the fact that the protesters have showed up with silverware, the headline at this moment is that eastbound BART trains are not stopping at Montgomery station. Instead, commuters should use Powell or Embarcadero.
But things could change at any moment, a BART dispatcher just told SFist, so stay tuned!
7:23 a.m.: According to BART dispatchers, about 50 people have gathered at Montgomery station so far, all tapping spoons on the tile floor. Oh, except for this guy, who started banging his spoon on a train, for which he was promptly arrested:
Officers just took protester into custody #BART protest #MontgomeryStation #SF, man banging on train w/ spoon #KTVU pic.twitter.com/8dHVTNJjbW
— Alex Savidge (@AlexSavidge) January 16, 2015
Police arrest one protestor and carry him by the arms and legs out of the platform #BARTFriday pic.twitter.com/Pi4tTdvRLi
— Anya Schultz (@anyaviolet) January 16, 2015
Trains aren't stopping in either direction at Montgomery, but service continues elsewhere without issue, BART says.
Due to a civil disturbance, trains will not stop at Montgomery Station.
— SFBART (@SFBART) January 16, 2015
7:34 a.m.: According to KTVU broadcast, a sizable portion of the protesters have left Montgomery station. Where are they headed? The rumor, KTVU's reporter says, is that they're headed to Embarcadero station to presumably do more spoon tapping.
Trains continue to pass through Montgomery station without stopping, and no further arrests have been reported.
Our live pictures showing the Montgomery platform right now, many protesters left & are up on Market St., said to be heading to Embarcadero.
— Sal Castaneda (@sal_castaneda) January 16, 2015
7:38 a.m.: AHAHAHA! Muni just announced that they are not experiencing delays. It's true, that is remarkable news that should be announced.
HeadsUp: #SFMTA is not experiencing delays due to the #Bart protest at Montgomery Station. Thank you for riding Muni.
— SFMTA (@sfmta_muni) January 16, 2015
7:47 a.m.: According to BART spokesperson Alicia Trost, BART's reopened Montgomery, but has closed Embarcadero station.
Trains are now stopping at Montgomery. Trains running through Embarcadero.
— alicia trost (@AliciaTrost) January 16, 2015
There's a rumor that protesters are also heading to Powell station. If BART hews to the strategy they appear to be following, stations will continue to re-open and re-close as protesters stop by.
Now protesters are leaving Embarcadero, plan to try to shut down all 4 Downtown SF stations #BARTFriday
— KQED News (@KQEDnews) January 16, 2015
We also have another arrest, after a woman reportedly attempted to block a Montgomery station train's door.
Just saw woman taken into custody by #BART Police, officer says she blocked train doors at #MontgomeryStation #KTVU pic.twitter.com/eB3jv2uoVj
— Alex Savidge (@AlexSavidge) January 16, 2015
8:12 a.m.: So, right now the Embarcadero and Montgomery stations remain closed, and while trains are passing through the stations, they won't be stopping.
Embarcadero station is still closed, some people made their way in and are at the stairs banging spoons #BARTFriday pic.twitter.com/vxbBvLEQk0
— KQED News (@KQEDnews) January 16, 2015
Protesters briefly blocked a train at Powell, but according to Trost, that's been cleared up.
Train at Powell no longer being blocked.
— alicia trost (@AliciaTrost) January 16, 2015
8:27 a.m.: According to Trost, the group of protesters (estimated at about 140) has split up: "About 30-40 at Embarcadero, 40 at Montgomery, 30-40 on Market St." All, it appears, tapping away with their spoons. Perhaps the plan is to annoy BART into shutting down?
.@SFBART Police say about 140 protesters at start. Now split up. About 30-40 at Embarcadero, 40 at Montgomery, 30-40 on Market St.
— alicia trost (@AliciaTrost) January 16, 2015
8:44 a.m.: Now Powell station is closed, and trains are only stopping in the "commute direction" at Montgomery and Embarcadero.
Things remain fluid in SF @sfbart. Trains not stopping at Powell, Trains are stopping in the commute direction only at EMB and MONT.
— alicia trost (@AliciaTrost) January 16, 2015
Trains not stopping at Powell due to civil disturbance. Trains from East Bay to San Francisco will stop at Embarcadero and Montgomery.
— SFBART (@SFBART) January 16, 2015
Also, you can ride Muni for free today if you have a BART ticket you weren't able to use.
Muni is honoring BART tickets this morning due to fluid nature of station closures in downtown SF.
— SFBART (@SFBART) January 16, 2015
8:53 a.m.: Since one of you asked, yes, they are all still tapping those spoons. Have been for about 90 minutes, now. All I can think about is carpal tunnel syndrome.
Also, BART can't say it enough, but things are changing moment by moment. So pay attention! From the transit agency:
"Due to a civil disturbance in downtown San Francisco, station stops are changing moment by moment. Some trains may not stop at certain downtown stations. Please listen carefully to your train operator's announcements for up to the minute service details."
9:15 a.m.: The BART protesters at Montgomery have stopped banging their spoons, but say that they plan on continuing to protest for the next 96 hours. That said, they look pretty tired.
Right now, at least, all BART stations remain open, but BART warns that that could change if things pick back up.
9:30 a.m.: "We didn't have any major delays," BART spokesperson Jim Allison says regarding this morning's commute. "BART's service is operating as scheduled."
All stations now open, normal service has resumed.
— alicia trost (@AliciaTrost) January 16, 2015
According to a BART police spokesperson, they believe there are some other demonstrations planned for the weekend, and "we're staffed accordingly."
.@sfbart ridership down 24,000 trips compared to yesterday. West bound transbay tube trips down 13,000
— alicia trost (@AliciaTrost) January 16, 2015
Previously: Montgomery BART Station To Be Possibly Shut Down By Protest On Friday