Protests against U.S. military aid for Israel’s war with Hamas continue to gain momentum across the country, with demonstrators taking to the streets and shutting down major highways on Tax Day to draw attention to the issue. From the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco to I-95 in Philadelphia, protesters coordinated by A-15 Action disrupted traffic and voiced their opposition to the use of taxpayer funds for military aid to Israel. The protests were timed to coincide with the deadline for federal income tax returns, highlighting the connection between American taxpayers and the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
In Chicago, protesters blocked traffic on I-90 and I-294, as well as the entrance to O’Hare International Airport, to draw attention to aerospace company Boeing, which manufactures arms and military vehicles used by the Israeli Defense Force. In total, 31 protesters were arrested in Chicago, but the demonstration successfully disrupted major logistical hubs and had a significant economic impact, according to organizers. Similarly, protesters in Oakland, Philadelphia, San Antonio, and New York also took to the streets to voice their opposition to U.S. military aid for Israel and draw attention to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The protests on Tax Day were part of a larger movement opposing the Biden administration’s policies and continued support for Israel in its conflict with Hamas. Similar protests have taken place in Washington, D.C., with demands for an immediate cease-fire and calls for an end to U.S. military aid to Israel. Organized by groups such as Jewish Voice for Peace and IfNotNow, these protests have led to hundreds of arrests and are a testament to the growing dissent against American involvement in the conflict. The protests have also extended to Democratic presidential primaries, with organizers in Michigan successfully rallying over 100,000 voters to vote “uncommitted” in protest against the Biden administration’s policies.
The demonstrations on Tax Day reflect a broader movement against U.S. military aid for Israel and the ongoing conflict in Gaza, with protesters across the country calling for an end to American taxpayer funds being used in the conflict. The protesters highlighted the role of companies like Boeing in providing arms and military vehicles to the Israeli Defense Force, drawing attention to the complicity of American corporations in the violence in Gaza. As the protests gain momentum and draw greater attention to the issue, they serve as a reminder of the power of grassroots movements to effect change and hold the government accountable for its actions.
Despite the disruption caused by the protests, some commuters at O’Hare International Airport showed their support for the demonstrators, with reports of travelers leaving their vehicles to walk to the terminal in solidarity. While the protests may have inconvenienced some individuals, they have succeeded in drawing attention to the issue of U.S. military aid for Israel and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. As the protests continue to gain momentum and spread across the country, they serve as a powerful reminder of the impact of grassroots activism in challenging government policies and advocating for change.
