On Monday, pro-Palestinian protesters staged demonstrations that disrupted roadways in various parts of the United States, including Illinois, California, New York, and the Pacific Northwest. Their actions temporarily halted traffic leading to major airports, such as those in New York, and also affected iconic landmarks like the Golden Gate and Brooklyn bridges, as well as a busy highway on the West Coast.

In a rally they said was a part of a worldwide “economic blockade to free Palestine,” demonstrators in Chicago, according to one of the organisers, Rifqa Falaneh, joined arms and blocked lanes of Interstate 190 coming into O’Hare International Airport at approximately seven in the morning.

Following the blockade of all forms of traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge and the tethering of demonstrators to 55-gallon cement barrels on Interstate 880 in Oakland, the San Francisco Bay Area experienced significant traffic congestion lasting for hours. Additionally, protesters marching into Brooklyn disrupted traffic on the Brooklyn Bridge, affecting commuters heading into Manhattan. In Eugene, Oregon, protesters halted traffic on Interstate 5, a major route, for nearly forty-five minutes.

O'Hare Airport advised travellers on the social platform X to consider alternative transportation options with car travel “substantially delayed this morning due to protest activity.”

Some travellers, stranded in traffic gridlock, abandoned their cars and walked the last part of the way to the airport, following their bags all the way down the motorway.

Near Seattle, the Washington State Department of Transportation reported that a demonstration had shut down the main road leading to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Social media posts depicted individuals holding a banner and Palestinian flags as they stood on the highway. State officials encouraged commuters to utilise light rail as an alternative mode of transportation.

The California Highway Patrol reported that approximately 20 protesters were arrested during the demonstration at the Golden Gate Bridge. Traffic resumed shortly after noon once the situation was resolved.

The agency said officers were making arrests at two points on the interstate, including one spot where roughly 300 protesters refused orders to disperse, “Attempting to block or shut down a freeway or state highway to protest is unlawful, dangerous, and prevents motorists from safely reaching their destinations,” the agency said in a statement.

Oregon State Police said that 52 protestors were arrested for disorderly conduct in connection with the Interstate 5 protest in Eugene, Oregon, situated about 110 miles (177 kilometers) south of Portland. Additionally, six vehicles were towed from the scene.

New York Police made numerous arrests, saying 150 protesters were initially involved in the march around 3:15 p.m., but that number quickly grew. The bridge was fully reopened by 5 p.m.

In Chicago, numerous protesters were arrested, as reported by Falaneh. The Chicago police stated on Monday that "multiple people" were taken into custody following a protest that involved the obstruction of traffic, although they did not provide a specific count of arrests.

Protesters stated they selected the location, partly because O'Hare is one of the largest airports. Additionally, they have called for an immediate ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Anti- war protesters have demonstrated in Chicago near daily since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel that killed around 1,200 people. Israeli warplanes and ground troops have conducted a scorched-earth campaign on the Gaza Strip.

Image source: AP