Pro-Palestinian protesters shut down site visitors Monday morning in cities throughout the nation, a part of a worldwide effort to disrupt economies and stress world leaders to push for a cease-fire within the Gaza Strip.
In California, protesters chained themselves to barrels and blocked lanes on northbound I-880 in Oakland, whereas one other group of demonstrators carrying banners disrupted southbound site visitors. On the Golden Gate Bridge, protesters obstructed site visitors in each instructions, with some carrying a banner that learn “Stop the world for Gaza.”
The disruptions didn’t simply influence drivers. In Chicago, protesters on I-190 blocked site visitors coming into O’Hare International Airport, and passengers who’d already arrived began strolling on foot with their baggage to catch their flights. The airport introduced on X that there have been substantial delays and inspired passengers to make use of various transportation. By mid morning, site visitors was transferring into O’Hare once more, in line with the airport.
In San Antonio, protesters carrying Palestinian flags blocked each side of the Valero vitality firm headquarters, jamming site visitors on the town’s northwest aspect. And in Philadelphia, pro-Palestinian protesters organized a teach-in that blocked rush-hour site visitors. Others led a funeral-like procession of automobiles up Interstate 95, and a 3rd group gathered outdoors of City Hall, calling on native management to cease sending hundreds of thousands of {dollars} to Israel. They additionally made their technique to Day & Zimmermann headquarters, which is a weapons producer that organizers stated provides weapons to Israel, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
The protests had been a part of A15 Action, a solidarity settlement to “determine and blockade main choke factors” that might trigger essentially the most financial influence, in line with its web site.
In Middletown, Conn., for instance, pro-Palestinian protesters blocked staff getting into and leaving a Pratt & Whitney manufacturing unit that exports army engines for aircrafts. Police arrested a number of protesters, the Hartford Courant reported.
The motion on Monday purposefully coincided with Tax Day within the United States. Protesters and activists throughout the nation stated they had been calling for a cease-fire in Gaza and for the United States to cease offering army assist to the Israeli authorities.
Protesters additionally gathered in main cities globally, together with in Athens; Belfast, Northern Ireland; Sydney, Australia; and Barcelona, Spain. All echoed requires a cease-fire.