The New York Police Department (NYPD) announced Monday that 325 pro-Palestinian demonstrators had been arrested for obstructing three bridges in the New York area, as well as the Holland Tunnel.
Demonstrators began obstructing the structures around 9:40 a.m., according to NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell, and by 11:15 a.m., the NYPD and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey had made the arrests and effectively cleared the places.
On Monday morning, demonstrators gathered at the Brooklyn Bridge, the Manhattan Bridge, the Williamsburg Bridge, and the Holland Tunnel, holding signs reading “lift the siege on Gaza” and “end the occupation.” City officials were on the scene clearing the way for traffic.
Protesters can be seen in videos screaming “Free Palestine.”
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Such demonstrations have become common in recent months as Israel continues its ground invasion in Gaza, forcing Palestinians to flee their homes while the state targets Hamas, the US-designated terrorist organization that launched a surprise attack in Israel on Oct. 7, killing and torturing 1,200 Israelis.
According to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry, Israel’s offensive in Gaza has resulted in approximately 23,000 Palestinian deaths in the months afterward.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators also demonstrated at Los Angeles International Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport on December 27, one of the busiest travel days of the year.
Pro-Palestinian protesters also disrupted President Biden’s speech at Mother Emanuel Church in South Carolina on Monday.
“I understand their passion,” added Biden. “And I’ve been quietly working with the Israeli government to get them to reduce and significantly get out of Gaza.”
According to local news agencies, New York Mayor Eric Adams (D) made remarks following the local arrests, emphasizing his support for the right to protest but not the right to block bridges and traffic.
“The goal is to protest peacefully without causing major disruption to the city.” “Some people are not just driving to and from work across our bridges; some of them are dealing with real emergency-type issues,” Adams added, according to ABC7. “I’ve been very clear: It pains us all to see innocent lives being lost right now.” We must do everything necessary to prevent the deaths of innocent people, but Hamas must be eliminated since they are a terrorist organization.”
Many of the demonstrators will face misdemeanor charges with a desk appearance citation instead of a summons, according to the NYPD.