CHICAGO – Demonstrators advocating for a cease-fire in Gaza caused disruptions in major U.S. cities on Monday, with actions staged in Illinois, California, New York, and the Pacific Northwest. The protests impacted key transportation routes leading to airports, bridges, and highways across the country.
In Chicago, activists blocked lanes of Interstate 190 heading to O’Hare International Airport as part of a global “economic blockade to free Palestine.” In the Bay Area, demonstrators created traffic congestion by shutting down vehicle, pedestrian, and bike traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge and Interstate 880 in Oakland. Meanwhile, protesters in Brooklyn disrupted traffic on the Brooklyn Bridge, and in Eugene, Oregon, Interstate 5 was blocked for about 45 minutes.
O’Hare International Airport, one of the busiest in the nation, was targeted by protesters who called for an immediate end to the conflict between Israel and Hamas. The ongoing demonstrations in Chicago have been a response to the escalation of violence in the region, following an attack by Hamas in southern Israel.
According to the Gaza health ministry, the Israeli offensive has resulted in the deaths of over 33,700 Palestinians, with a significant number being women and children. At O’Hare, travelers were advised to seek alternative transportation methods due to significant delays caused by the protests.
Despite the disruptions, airport operations remained relatively unaffected, with delays under 15 minutes reported. Travelers who were impacted by the protests had to navigate through standstill traffic, with some resorting to walking to the airport with their luggage in tow.
Similar demonstrations in Seattle, New York, and California led to arrests as protesters blocked key roadways. Law enforcement agencies emphasized that blocking highways for protests is illegal and poses risks to public safety.
In conclusion, the protests in various cities aimed to draw attention to the ongoing conflict in Gaza and to call for a peaceful resolution. While causing disruptions to daily routines, the demonstrations highlighted the commitment of activists to raise awareness and advocate for change.