Animal rights protesters tie up traffic along Embarcadero

Samer Masterson, 22, leads group chants inside Pier 39 as security guards try to quell the disruption. Samer Masterson, 22, leads group chants inside Pier 39 as security guards try to quell the disruption. Photo: Kimberly Veklerov / The Chronicle Photo: Kimberly Veklerov / The Chronicle Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Animal rights protesters tie up traffic along Embarcadero 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Animal rights activists tied up traffic and baffled tourists Monday in San Francisco as they marched in pursuit of a “pig independence day.”

The group of about two dozen protesters and two dogs walked north on the Embarcadero from the Ferry Building to Pier 39, prompting some angry motorists to drive dangerously close to the banner-wielding crowd and a police squad car following the marchers.

Samer Masterson, who led some of the group’s chants over a megaphone, said they wanted to bring attention to their investigation of a Hormel Foods farm. Masterson said he personally sneaked onto the farm and rescued a pig that he said was on the verge of death.

“The pigs on that farm are no different than our dogs and cats,” said Masterson, 22, a vegan. “We have no right to kill them. It’s not normal to eat other animals.”

Others were quick to differ.

“I don’t know — I like bacon,” said Timika Broadus, 34, from Dallas. “I don’t think they should be doing this.”

Many sightseers whipped out cameras and phones to record the ruckus, which was organized by Direct Action Everywhere, a group that puts on theatrical protests around the Bay Area and campaigns for a halt to all animal eating.

Security guards inside Pier 39 linked arms in an attempt to stop the activists, who managed to snake around them and disrupt a children’s show on the pier as spectators shouted at them to leave.

Thomas Aristide, 33, visiting from San Diego with his family, said the Lyft ride he called was 15 minutes later than expected because of the traffic along the Embarcadero.

“Initially because of the wind we thought they were yelling ‘White power! Trump tower!’” he said. “But then we figured it out. ... It’s the Fourth of July, so I guess it gets the message out.”

Kimberly Veklerov is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kveklerov@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kveklerov