Mayor Pete makes appearance at protest blocking lanes on Market Street

Pete Buttigieg, mayor of South Bend, Ind. and 2020 presidential candidate, made a surprise appearance at a protest outside Uber headquarters in San Francisco on Aug. 27, 2019. Buttigieg's campaign provided this photo of the appearance. less Pete Buttigieg, mayor of South Bend, Ind. and 2020 presidential candidate, made a surprise appearance at a protest outside Uber headquarters in San Francisco on Aug. 27, 2019. Buttigieg's campaign provided this ... more Photo: Courtesy Of Pete For America Photo: Courtesy Of Pete For America Image 1 of / 7 Caption Close Mayor Pete makes appearance at protest blocking lanes on Market Street 1 / 7 Back to Gallery

Mid-Market was a mess of honking horns and protesters Tuesday as rideshare drivers argue they should be classified as employees by companies like Uber and Lyft.

Just after noon Tuesday, KTVU reported the protest was blocking several lanes on Market Street at Uber's headquarters near Tenth Street. The red bus-designated lane appeared to be blocked by idling cars and Muni buses could be seen going around them.

Among the gig economy workers, there was also a more famous face: 2020 presidential candidate Mayor Pete Buttigieg made a surprise appearance. The South Bend, Ind. mayor was already in town for a campaign event in San Jose. Buttigieg had heard about the protest early Tuesday morning and "moved a prior commitment to stand with the workers," Marisol Samayoa, a spokesperson for his campaign, told SFGate.

"Where I come from gig is another word for job," Buttigieg said to the crowd and news cameras gathered outside Uber headquarters. "Which means if you're working a gig that makes you a worker and you ought to be protected as a worker."

The protests are in support of Assembly Bill 5, which is working its way through the California Legislature. The bill would essentially make it harder for companies to use independent contractors as a full-time workforce. Read more on the legislation from The Chronicle.

Protest underway in front of Uber HQ in SF. Drivers pushing for AB5. The bill would make it harder for companies to classify workers as independent contractors. pic.twitter.com/chj8DajyCy — Christien Kafton (@CKaftonKTVU) August 27, 2019

Over the past few months, there have been several strikes and protests in San Francisco in favor of AB5. Tuesday's protest involved a caravan of about 200 rideshare drivers who came up to San Francisco from Los Angeles, according to KTVU. After an afternoon rally in Oakland, the caravan will end on the steps of the Capitol in Sacramento.

Alix Martichoux is an SFGate digital editor. Read her latest stories and send her news tips at alix.martichoux@sfgate.com.