Pro-Palestinian demonstrators in Chicago blocked a freeway leading to three O’Hare International Airport terminals on Monday morning, causing traffic congestion and delays for travelers. The protesters linked arms and blocked lanes of Interstate 190 as part of a global “economic blockade to free Palestine” demonstration. Similar protests were also seen in the San Francisco Bay Area, where demonstrators shut down the Golden Gate Bridge and a stretch of Interstate 880 in Oakland. O’Hare Airport advised travelers to use alternative forms of transportation due to the protest activity causing substantial delays in car travel.
Travelers stuck in standstill traffic left their cars and walked the final leg to the airport along the freeway, dragging their luggage behind them. One traveler, Madeline Hannan, recounted how she and her husband had to abandon their car and run more than a mile to make it to their gate on time. Despite the inconvenience, she acknowledged that the protest was a minor disruption compared to the larger scale events happening overseas. While individual travelers were affected, airport operations at O’Hare remained near normal with delays of under 15 minutes, according to the Chicago Department of Aviation. Inbound traffic toward O’Hare resumed around 9 a.m.
In California, protesters on the Golden Gate Bridge held a demonstration with a banner reading “Stop the world for Gaza,” leading to the closure of the iconic bridge to all auto traffic, cyclists, and pedestrians. In Chicago, dozens of protesters were arrested, according to organizer Rifqa Falaneh. Chicago police confirmed that “multiple people” were taken into custody for obstructing traffic during the protest. The protesters chose O’Hare Airport as a location for their demonstration due to its significance as one of the largest airports. They have also called for an immediate ceasefire in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Anti-war protesters have been demonstrating in Chicago almost daily since Hamas’ attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, which resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 people. The Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip has led to the deaths of more than 33,700 Palestinians, according to the Gaza health ministry. The ministry’s count does not differentiate between civilians and combatants but states that women and children make up two-thirds of the casualties. The protests at O’Hare and the Golden Gate Bridge are part of a larger global movement calling for an end to violence in the Middle East and supporting the Palestinian cause.
