<> on November 2, 2011 in Oakland, California. Protestors stand on a truck at the Port of Oakland during Occupy Oakland's general strike on November 2, 2011 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

OAKLAND (CBS13) — Thousands of people effectively shut down the Port of Oakland in an attempt to disrupt the flow of goods at the nation’s fifth-busiest port, but a protester in downtown Oakland was hurt Wednesday evening after being struck by a vehicle.

Protesters had been gathering at an intersection near Broadway and 11th Street at about 7:30 p.m. when a sedan struck one of the demonstrators, knocking him to the ground.

Footage from the KPIX-TV helicopter over the scene showed a large crowd gathering around the scene of the incident within minutes. Police were seen questioning the driver before transporting him away from the scene in a police cruiser.

The severity of the victim’s injuries are unknown, but he appeared to be moving his extremities and responding to questions from emergency personnel. He was transported away by ambulance shortly after 8:00 p.m.

>> Raw Footage: Overhead View Of Accident Scene

Demonstrators at the Port of Oakland climbed atop big-rig trucks Wednesday and began dancing while others hung a banner from scaffolding that read, “This is what democracy looks like.”

Port Executive Director Omar Benjamin said that as a result of the protest, “maritime operations are effectively shut down.”

He said the maritime operations will only resume “when it is safe and secure to do so.”

Benjamin said protesters are blocking truckers at the port from leaving.

Benjamin said “we are asking that everyone remain calm, respectful and safe and ask that port worker be allowed to get home safely.”

Organizers say they want to stop the “flow of capital.” The port sends goods primarily to Asia, including wine as well as rice, fruits and nuts, and handles imported electronics, apparel and manufacturing equipment, mostly from Asia, as well as cars and parts from Toyota, Honda, Nissan and Hyundai.

(Copyright 2011 CBS Sacramento. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)