Enormous protests in Bay Area, nation

Golden Gate Bridge closed to traffic after marchers spill onto roadway

The Golden Gate Bridge was briefly shut down Saturday, as protests around the nation and world over George Floyd’s death at the hands of Minneapolis police continued.

In Washington, a mammoth crowd of protesters gathered at the Capitol and on the National Mall, and many headed toward the White House. Globally, it was perhaps the largest oneday mobilization since Floyd’s death on May 25. Around the Bay Area, throngs of people from Fremont to Santa Rosa continued to raise their voices against police brutality.

In Berkeley, a big crowd peacefully marched down Martin Luther King Jr. Way, shouting, “No justice. No peace. Abolish police.” Drivers, stopped for blocks in every direction, honked in support. Some held handwritten signs out car windows and joined in chants.

In Oakland, Warriors forward Juan ToscanoAnderson spearheaded a Walk in Unity protest for the second time in the week. Thousands of people, wearing black clothes and chanting, peacefully walked from Frank Ogawa Plaza to the Lake Merritt Amphitheater.

At the Golden Gate Bridge, thousands of people crossed the span in a peaceful protest.

Marchers initially filled the eastern walkway, but ultimately people climbed the rails and spilled onto the southbound roadway, with protesters chanting and carrying signs. Northbound lanes were also intermittently shut down. Bridge authorities used trucks to block the toll plaza and allow protesters to pass. Most people wore masks — and one woman with a handdrawn “Police Brutality is Criminal” sign handed out surgical masks for the few who didn’t have one — but social distancing was impossible. Many in the crowd stood shoulder to shoulder, with some even shaking hands and bumping fists and elbows in greeting.

Nate Payne, 41, stood at the entrance to the bridge walkway with a sign depicting former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick kneeling while dressed as superhero Captain America.

Payne, who is black, said, “2020 is the awakening,” adding that he had always supported Kaepernick’s decision to take a knee during the national anthem at NFL games to protest police violence.

“I stand with Kap, and I know my rights,” Payne said, his sign propped up on a Golden Gate Bridge patrol vehicle while officers stood by, uncomplaining.

Tarryn Warn, 26, said this was the first protest she had taken part in since the civil actions began sweeping the Bay Area.

Warn said said Floyd’s dead “woke people up . ... It sparked something.” She said she wanted her future kids and grandchildren to see that she and others were part of a movement and stood up to racism.

“People care about this more than a pandemic,” she said. “Racism is a sickness.”

The bridge protesters, who began in San Francisco, crossed to Marin County and turned around, chanted “black lives matter” and “hands up, don’t shoot.” Drivers honked their horns in support. Passengers hung out the windows of cars, with clenched fists raised and homemade signs proclaiming “Black Lives Matter” flying in the wind.

One protester, who gave his name as only Chris, said he had come to “support the continued fight against injustice.”

“I’m just trying to be supportive,” he said. “Everybody out here matters.”

The allure of the bridge was not lost on protesters. Many still stopped to pose, with signs held high and the towers and bright blue sky as a backdrop.

“This is monumental,” said Bay area resident Ken Mark, 73. This was the third protest he’s attended.

Payne questioned whether protests would have erupted in the size they have had the coronavirus pandemic not swept the globe.

“Would people have cared as much about George Floyd without COVID?” Payne said, adding that without other distractions, the issue of racial injustice has been able to come to the fore.

Police officers initially kept their distance from the bridge protest, waiting in a nearby parking lot even as the crowd continued to grow. But ultimately, as the protesters shut down lanes of traffic, officers negotiated with them to reopen the bridge.

Chase DiFeliciantonio and Rusty Simmons are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: chase.difeliciantonio@sfchronicle.com, rusty.simmons@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @chase difelice, @Rusty_SFChron

Jessica Christian / The Chronicle Thousands of people take part in a march across the Golden Gate Bridge, spilling into traffic lanes and eventually forcing the temporary closure of the span.

Alex Brandon / Associated Press Crowds gather at Washington’s Lincoln Memorial, one of the nationwide protests over the death of George Floyd.

Tim Tai / Philadelphia Inquirer Thousands march in Philadelphia in the wake of Floyd’s death while in police custody in Minneapolis.

Tyger Williams / Philadelphia Inquirer Throngs of people gather along the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum and Eakins Oval during a protest against injustice.