Dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters simultaneously blocked the Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Williamsburg bridges, as well as the Holland Tunnel in New York City, after converging at City Hall Park for the "Shut it Down for Palestine" rally on Monday (January 8).
The protesters effectively shut down traffic in the most vital crossings into Lower Manhattan before the New York Police Department (NYPD) arrested some of them. In total, 40 demonstrators descended upon Brooklyn Bridge, 12 on the Manhattan Bridge, 75 on the Williamsburg Bridge, and 70 within the Holland Tunnel, the NYPD said.
🚨 BREAKING 🚨 Palestine protestors take over the Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, Williamsburg Bridge, and Holland Tunnel to demand an end to the ongoing American-funded, American-led genocide of the Palestinian people in #Gaza pic.twitter.com/StNZwDkaSV
— Palestinian Youth Movement (@palyouthmvmt) January 8, 2024
Protesters Blocking Traffic
In a video posted on X, formerly Twitter, the group standing in front of the entrance to the tunnel held signs reading "Lift the Siege of Gaza, Ceasefire Now," and "End the Occupation, Free All Palestinian Prisoners, USA Stop Arming Israel."
Arrests were made at the base of the Brooklyn Bridge by the NYPD, and at the Holland Tunnel by the Port Authority Police, law enforcement sources told the New York Post.
Brooklyn Bridge was reopened shortly after, with residual delays expected.
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