What happened?

  • Pro-Palestinian protesters disrupted traffic in several U.S. cities, including shutting down the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, blocking traffic into O’Hare International Airport in Chicago, and flooding the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City, causing significant disruptions and economic impact.

  • Coordinated pro-Palestinian protests were held across the United States and globally on Tax Day, blocking roads, highways, bridges, and disrupting traffic in major cities, including Oakland, San Francisco, Chicago, San Antonio, New York, and Philadelphia, to call for a ceasefire in Gaza and demand the U.S. stop providing military aid to Israel.

  • The protesters, coordinated by the group A15 Action, blocked major transportation routes and economic choke points in solidarity with Palestine, with the goal of “blocking the arteries of capitalism and jamming the wheels of production” to cause the most economic impact.

What is Arab media saying:

  • In Chicago, protesters linked arms and blocked lanes of Interstate 190 leading into O’Hare International Airport, and dozens of protesters were arrested. (aljazeera.com, naharnet.com)

  • In California, demonstrators blocked lanes on the northbound I-880 in Oakland by chaining themselves to barrels, and a separate group disrupted traffic on the southbound lanes. (aljazeera.com, naharnet.com)

  • On the Golden Gate Bridge, protesters impeded traffic in both directions, displaying a banner that read, “Stop the world for Gaza”, and about 20 protesters were arrested. (aljazeera.com, naharnet.com)

  • In Eugene, Oregon, protesters blocked Interstate 5, shutting down traffic on the major highway for about 45 minutes, and 52 protesters were arrested for disorderly conduct. (aljazeera.com, naharnet.com)

  • In New York, the police made numerous arrests, and the Brooklyn Bridge was fully reopened by 5 p.m. (naharnet.com)

  • The demonstrations were part of a global “economic blockade to free Palestine”, and the protesters have called for an immediate cease-fire in the war between Israel and Hamas. (aljazeera.com, naharnet.com)

What is International media saying:

  • The protesters believe their cause is righteous, demanding an immediate ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas, and think they should be able to break the law, including assaulting police officers, trespassing, and making death threats. (washingtonexaminer.com)

  • The protests create a challenge for President Biden, and city leaders are urged to take a firmer stance to prevent further escalation of these disruptive actions, as breaking the law will not be tolerated. (washingtonpost.com, yahoo.com)

  • The protesters’ actions, such as blocking traffic, are considered a terrible form of protest that only makes their cause more unpopular while also being highly dangerous for everyone involved. (washingtonexaminer.com)

What is Israeli media saying: