Pro-Palestinian protesters brought traffic to a standstill in cities across the United States on Monday as part of a global effort to disrupt economies and pressure world leaders to push for a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip.
In California, protesters chained themselves to barrels and blocked lanes on northbound I-880 in Oakland, while another group disrupted southbound traffic on the same highway. On the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, protesters obstructed traffic in both directions, holding a banner that read “Stop the world for Gaza.”
The disruptions were not limited to just roads. In Chicago, protesters on I-190 blocked traffic heading into O’Hare International Airport, causing substantial delays and prompting some passengers to walk on foot with their luggage to catch their flights. The airport advised travelers to seek alternative transportation until the situation was resolved.
In San Antonio, protesters carrying Palestinian flags blocked both sides of the Valero energy company headquarters, causing traffic jams on the city’s northwest side. Meanwhile, in New York City, hundreds of protesters blocked traffic on the Brooklyn Bridge, leading to arrests by police.
Philadelphia saw pro-Palestinian protesters organizing a teach-in that blocked rush-hour traffic, as well as leading a funeral-like procession of cars up Interstate 95. They also gathered outside City Hall, demanding an end to sending millions of dollars in aid to Israel, and protested outside Day & Zimmermann headquarters, a weapons manufacturer that they claim supplies weapons to Israel.
The protests were part of A15 Action, a solidarity agreement aimed at identifying and blockading major choke points to create economic impact. In Middletown, Conn., protesters blocked employees entering and leaving a Pratt & Whitney factory that exports military engines for aircraft, resulting in multiple arrests.
The timing of the protests coincided with Tax Day in the United States, with protesters calling for a cease-fire in Gaza and an end to U.S. military aid to Israel. Similar demonstrations took place in major cities around the world, including Athens, Belfast, Sydney, and Barcelona, all united in their calls for peace in Gaza.
