SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. -- A group of more than 200 people carrying Palestinian flags and protesting Israeli's military violence in the Gaza strip marched in downtown San Francisco Friday afternoon.

The march followed a rally organized by the Act Now to Stop War and End Racism coalition that started around 2:30 p.m. at Powell and Market streets. Protesters marched to the Israeli Consulate near Montgomery and California streets and continued marching for more than three hours.

Around 5 p.m., the group briefly sat down and blocked the intersection of Sutter and Montgomery streets before heading toward Market Street.

The protesters of all ages chanted "Free, free Palestine," and, "Stop bombing Gaza."

Police, equipped with batons and plastic handcuffs, accompanied the peaceful protesters on foot and in vans.

Shortly after 5:30 p.m. the group was marching along the sidewalk of Market Street, heading west toward the U.N. Plaza.

Around 6 p.m., the official march was over but protesters lingered, urging people to spread the word about future marches through social networking sites such as Facebook.

Organizers assured marches will continue as long as violence in Gaza proceeds.