Pro-Palestinian demonstrators recently carried out a series of protests across the United States, causing significant disruptions to travel in major cities. These protests took place in Illinois, California, New York, and the Pacific Northwest, with the demonstrators blocking key roadways and bridges, leading to traffic standstills.
In Chicago, protesters focused their efforts on Interstate 190, leading to O’Hare International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the country. The demonstration started early in the morning, around 7 a.m., and was part of what organizers called a “global economic blockade to free Palestine.”
JUST IN: All outbound lanes on Kennedy Expressway at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago have been blocked by pro-Palestine protesters.
People were seen getting out of their cars and making the long walk to the terminal so they didn’t miss their flights.
“Vehicular travel… pic.twitter.com/8v58KRCY7N
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) April 15, 2024
On the West Coast, the disruptions included the complete shutdown of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, affecting all vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle traffic. Protesters also blocked Interstate 880 in Oakland by chaining themselves to large barrels filled with cement. Similarly, in New York, protesters halted traffic heading into Manhattan on the Brooklyn Bridge. Further north in Eugene, Oregon, demonstrators briefly shut down Interstate 5, a major highway, which disrupted traffic for about 45 minutes.
BREAKING:
Police finally engaged the protestors who closed down the Golden Gate Bridge.
This is a joke. Grab them one by one and throw them in the paddy wagon.
👀🤔😬😱
🔉 pic.twitter.com/GreZsdRPNM— TheRealBiffBifford™ 🇺🇸 (@TBifford) April 15, 2024
The reason behind targeting such significant locations, according to the protesters, was to call for an immediate ceasefire in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. These demonstrations are part of a series of anti-war protests that have been occurring regularly since the conflict escalated on October 7.
Breaking: As part of nation-wide coordinated attacks on travel and infrastructure, militant pro-Palestine protestors have shut down the road to arrivals and departures at Seattle–Tacoma International Airport.pic.twitter.com/dAzgZLzbQw
— Andy Ngô 🏳️🌈 (@MrAndyNgo) April 16, 2024
However, things were handled very differently in Florida. When protestors attempted to block the roadways, police acted immediately.
Pro-Hamas protestors tried blocking roads in Florida today and were dragged to the sidewalk almost immediately
We don’t tolerate road blocking here in Florida
In fact, it’s now a felony punishable up to 15 years in prison
— DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) April 15, 2024
