Protests erupted across the United States in response to the war in Gaza, with demonstrators shutting down major bridges, including San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge and the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City. In San Francisco, protesters held a sign that read “stop the world for Gaza” and used vehicles to block travel lanes on the Golden Gate Bridge. Around 20 people were arrested during the protest, which lasted for approximately five hours. The California Highway Patrol worked to reopen the bridge as quickly as possible.
In addition to the bridge closures in San Francisco and New York City, protesters in Oakland, California chained themselves to drums filled with cement on Interstate 880. The California Highway Patrol intervened to remove the protesters and reopen the lanes. In Chicago, around 40 people were arrested at O’Hare International Airport after obstructing traffic in protest. The group Chicago Dissenters called for an end to the U.S. funding of bombing in Gaza and chose the tax filing deadline as a day of protest.
The protests in New York City also drew police intervention as demonstrators blocked traffic on the Brooklyn Bridge. In Seattle, an expressway leading to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport was blocked by protesters as well. The protests were part of a larger wave of demonstrations across the United States in response to the conflict between Hamas and Israel in Gaza. The conflict began with a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, leading to a full-scale war and sparking anger and protests in the U.S. and around the world.
The pro-Palestinian protests were aimed at drawing attention to the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza and calling for an end to the violence and U.S. support of Israel. Demonstrators used tactics such as blocking major bridges and highways to disrupt business as usual and raise awareness of their cause. The protests highlighted the anger and frustration felt by many in the U.S. over the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the impact of the war on the civilian population.
The protests in various cities across the U.S. showcased the diversity and breadth of support for the Palestinian cause, with demonstrators representing a wide range of backgrounds and beliefs. The protests also raised questions about the U.S. government’s role in the conflict and the extent of its support for Israel in the face of ongoing violence and unrest. The protests served as a platform for voices calling for peace, justice, and an end to the suffering of civilians caught in the crossfire of the conflict in Gaza.
As the protests continued to gain momentum, they brought attention to the broader issues of human rights, international law, and the need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Gaza. The protests highlighted the power of collective action and peaceful resistance in raising awareness and inspiring change. By taking to the streets and disrupting business as usual, the demonstrators aimed to send a strong message to policymakers and the public about the urgent need for a just and lasting solution to the conflict in Gaza.
