(11-02) 13:10 PDT OAKLAND -- Many businesses in downtown Oakland are closed during today's Occupy Oakland general strike, whether in support of the movement or in preparation for the mass of protesters marching through the streets.

The closed stores included national chains such as Rite Aid, Tully's Coffee and Foot Locker. Some of the stores that remained open would only accept cash to honor the strike and avoid sending credit card fees to multinational corporations and banks.

Many local bank branches tried to stay open for customers, but were forced to lock doors where hoards of protesters neared. Marchers also tried to discourage use of ATMs.

Although the Oaklandish clothing store on Broadway closed, staff members set up a turntable with a DJ outside and are offering free water to protesters.

"We're very much a community organization and we want to stand with the people," said store manager Natalie Nadimi.

A sign on the closed Men's Wearhouse at Frank Ogawa Plaza read, "We stand with the 99 percent."

Protesters have said they plan to march later today to the Port of Oakland in hopes of shutting down the container terminal. Port officials said about 35 to 40 longshoremen - or a little more than 10 percent - did not show up for work.

Craig Merrilees, a spokesman for the International Longshore Workers Union, said about 325 longshoremen work at the port on an average day. Although the union didn't organize a walkout, members were free to join in the protest on their own, he said.

At the University of California's Office of the President, only essential employees were asked to come to work at the downtown office on Franklin Street. The other 1,300 employees were asked to work from home.

"We heard about street closures," said UC spokeswoman Dianne Klein. "In the interest of employees getting to and from work, we asked them to stay home. We're sort of operating in weekend mode."

Sankofa African Arts and Jewelry, which is located on Frank Ogawa Plaza, was among the few that stayed open.

"I'm not going to let this crowd shut me down," said the owner, who would only identify herself as Ellen. "I'm just praying this all gets better, for everyone."

Chronicle staff writers Will Kane and Vivian Ho contributed to this report.