Chicago, Illinois – Traffic on the Kennedy Expressway returned to normal late Monday morning after pro-Palestinian protesters staged a demonstration that blocked the I-190 access road to O’Hare International Airport. The protest, which began around 8 a.m., involved groups of individuals sitting with their arms interlocked on the Interstate 190 access road, obstructing all lanes of traffic heading to the airport. Dozens of police cars and emergency vehicles soon arrived to contain the protest groups and clear the area, allowing traffic to resume by 9:15 a.m.
Protesters at the demonstration were seen wearing signs that read “Free Palestine” and “Stop Genocide,” expressing their opposition to the U.S. government’s arming of Israel. The group Chicago Dissenters explained their intent to disrupt Boeing’s operations due to the company’s weapons sales to Israel. Videos shared on social media showed people abandoning their vehicles on I-190 and walking to O’Hare with their luggage while the road was blocked. As a result, travelers arriving at O’Hare faced delays and transportation challenges.
The protest at O’Hare was part of a larger movement called an “economic blockade for a free Palestine,” with similar demonstrations occurring in other cities across the country. In San Francisco, protesters completely blocked traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge, while in Oakland, California, all northbound lanes of Interstate 880 were obstructed. These actions were part of a coordinated effort to raise awareness and demand change regarding the conflict in the Middle East.
As the demonstration unfolded, Chicago police arrested 40 individuals between the ages of 19 and 43. The disruptive nature of the protest led to traffic delays and inconveniences for travelers, prompting officials to recommend the use of alternative transportation methods, such as the CTA Blue Line, to access O’Hare until normal traffic patterns were restored. The event highlighted the ongoing tensions surrounding international conflicts and prompted discussions about the role of the U.S. in global arms sales and support.