Anti-Wall Street protesters target West Coast ports

Anti-Wall Street protesters demonstrated Monday at ports along the U.S. West Coast, managing to shut down the ports without sparking major unrest or mass arrests. In Long Beach, about 200 protesters briefly blocked the south entrance to Pier J for about half an hour before police dispersed them. The protest caused traffic congestion but resulted in "minimal impact to port operations" and the arrests of at least two protesters, according to a statement on the port's website. "Most freeways, bridges and port access routes remained open, and all shipping terminals were operational during the protest," the website said. Before moving to block the pier, about 200 protesters picketed in front of SSA Marine, a shipping company that is partially owned by investment bank Goldman Sachs. Another protest was held Monday at the Port of Hueneme by more than 150 supporters. Protesters held signs and walked back and forth near the Port Hueneme and one of them was was arrested after laying down in the roadway and refusing to move. That was the only confrontation in what has largely been a peaceful "community picket" held outside the deep-water port's main entrance Monday morning, the Port Hueneme Police Department said. The protesters said they were targeting KKR, a private equity firm that holds a stake in Del Monte Foods. Del Monte ships bananas through the Port of Hueneme, a small, publicly-operated berth south of Oxnard that specializes in importing automobiles and fruit. In San Diego, three dozen Occupy movement supporters protest at the entryway to the 10th Avenue Marine Terminal. Five protesters were arrested after they apparently attempted to block trucks from entering the terminal.