In These New Times

The demonstrators assembled about 8 a.m. at the intersection of Market and Montgomery streets, then protested outside the consulate, at 456 Montgomery, before heading up Market toward the Federal Building on Golden Gate Avenue.

Traffic was stopped at several intersections. Police on foot and on motorcycles monitored protesters but made no arrests.

Many protesters carried Palestinian flags, were draped in checkered Palestinian head scarves and carried anti-Israel signs, such as “End the massacre” and “Gaza = Warsaw Ghetto.”

One protester, Yvonne Steffen, said she was marching “because I think what Israel is doing is horrible. It’s against humanity, and the government needs to talk with Hamas and make real peace.”

About 10 protesters tried to get into the Federal Building in hopes of gaining entry to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s district office, but were turned away by guards.

“Are you denying us entry?” one woman asked.

“Ma’am, you can stay out here and a get a tent, but you are not going to pass this point,” a guard said sharply.

Finally, one protester, Nadeen Elshorafa, 26, of San Francisco was allowed inside. She later emerged to say that Pelosi, who is in Washington, D.C., was unavailable and that the group would need to make an appointment for later.

Meanwhile, 15 protesters sat and linked their arms to block three entrances on the Golden Gate Avenue side of the Federal Building. People trying to do business inside were told to go to the Turk Street entrance.

The protesters dispersed without further incident around noon.

It was at least the fifth pro-Palestinian demonstration in San Francisco since Israel began an aerial bombardment of Gaza on Dec. 27.

E-mail Henry K. Lee at hlee@sfchronicle.com.