Pro-Palestinian protesters took to the streets of major U.S. cities on Monday to demand a ceasefire and an economic blockade in the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, and blocked highways, temporarily shutting down traffic to some of the country’s major cities. Airport. Demonstrators also staged protests on San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge and New York’s Brooklyn Bridge, causing massive traffic jams.
The protests in New York state, California, Illinois and Oregon came a day after Iran launched more than 300 missiles and drones directly into Israel in retaliation for an April 1 airstrike on its consulate in Damascus that killed one person . Seven Revolutionary Guards and six Syrian civilians.
In response, the United States reaffirmed its “ironclad commitment” to Israel’s security.
According to the New York City Police Department (NYPD), about 150 protesters marched on the Brooklyn Bridge around 3:15 pm on Monday. However, the number of demonstrators quickly grew, according to the Associated Press.
Protesters saw vehicles heading toward Manhattan on the bridge. Videos on social media showed protesters blocking vehicles on the bridge, few of them carrying Palestinian flags on their shoulders.
They were seen weaving through traffic, holding Palestinian flags, banners and shouting slogans.
CBS News reported that NYPD officers on bicycles followed demonstrators on the bridge and “made arrests once some protesters began lighting what appeared to be traffic lights.”
However, police did not disclose how many people were detained, but said multiple arrests were made.
The bridge fully reopened at 5 p.m.
Earlier in the day, about a dozen protesters blocked the Hamilton Fish Newburgh Lighthouse Bridge over the Hudson River.
New York State Police said all of those protesters were detained, CBS News reported.
Similar protests took place outside the New York Stock Exchange, and several demonstrators were arrested. Some demonstrators were also heard chanting “Death to America” while others burned American flags.
Meanwhile, in San Francisco, demonstrations on the Golden Gate Bridge shut down all forms of vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle traffic for several hours Monday afternoon.
Videos of the protest on social media showed demonstrators sitting on the bridge, some holding banners that read “Stop the world now for Gaza” and “End the siege of Gaza now.”
About 20 protesters were arrested, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
“Attempting to block or close a highway or state highway to protest is illegal, dangerous and will prevent motorists from reaching their destinations safely,” CBS News quoted the CHP as saying in a statement.
this california highway patrol The bridge is open in both directions until 12:20 p.m.
In Chicago, protesters blocked Interstate 190 leading to the city’s O’Hare International Airport around 7 a.m. Monday, causing great inconvenience to travelers.
In a post on X, the airport asked travelers to “consider alternative modes of transportation.”
Some affected passengers got out of the car and walked to the airport with their luggage.
Airport operations were not significantly affected and delays were less than 15 minutes, according to the Chicago Department of Aviation.
Inbound traffic to O’Hare resumed around 9 a.m., the Associated Press reported.
Meanwhile, Chicago police said “multiple people” were detained following the protests.
The city has seen almost daily anti-war protests since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrations near Seattle have closed a major road leading to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, the Washington State Department of Transportation said.
Social media posts showed people standing on the highway holding banners and waving Palestinian flags.
State authorities are urging people to use light rail instead.
In Oregon, state police said 52 protesters were arrested after demonstrating on Interstate 5 in Eugene, about 177 kilometers south of Portland.
At least 33,797 Palestinians have been killed in the besieged enclave since Hamas attacks on Israel triggered the ongoing war in Gaza on October 7, 2023, and a further 76,465 were injured.
More than 1,200 Israelis and foreigners, including 33 children, were killed in Israel, the vast majority on 7 October.
Israeli authorities estimate that 133 Israelis and foreigners remain detained in Gaza.
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