Mirroring protests around the country during one of the biggest shopping days of the year, Black Lives Matter activists briefly shut down an off-ramp near San Francisco International Airport on Wednesday.

The California Highway Patrol said eight protesters, all female, were arrested for their action, which Black Lives Matter Bay Area spokeswoman Malkia Cyril said took place at the San Francisco airport exit on U.S. Highway 101 about noon. At first, Cyril said nine protesters had been cited and released.

CHP arrested 9 female protestors blocking freeway SB 101 at SFO. They will be booked into SM County Jail. — CHP San Francisco (@CHPSanFrancisco) December 23, 2015

Photos show the activists with locked arms standing by a Christmas tree painted in red, black and green. Some held signs that demanded "Justice for Mario Woods," a 24-year-old African-American man killed by San Francisco police on Dec. 2.

"Black communities in five U.S. cities are taking brave civil action to impede the flow of goods and commerce," Cyril said. "Their demand is simple, yet significant: a systemic overhaul of all aspects of policing in America."

The protesters were taken to San Mateo County Jail on suspicion of public nuisance, obstructing the freeway, unlawful assembly on a freeway and false imprisonment for imprisoning stuck drivers in their cars, according to CHP.

Bay Area activists planned to regroup and protest on Keith Street in San Francisco, Cyril said.

They were joining others in six major U.S. cities on Wednesday. The biggest protest was at the Mall of America in Minnesota, where hundreds of protesters forced stores to close their doors as they chanted: "What do we want? Justice! When do we want it? Now!"