More than two dozen pro-Palestinian protesters blocked traffic near two major airports in Los Angeles and New York City in an effort to protest the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.
The Port Authority Police Department (PAPD) arrested roughly 26 protesters for disorderly conduct and impeding vehicular traffic going to John F. Kennedy International Airport Wednesday morning, according to The New York Times.
Police responded to the incident along the Van Wyck Expressway around 11:30 a.m. and 20 minutes later, officials from the PAPD had the expressway cleared, according to the outlet.
Protesters could be heard chanting “Free, free, free, Palestine” and “From the river to the Sea, Palestine will be free,” as they held signs saying, “Divest From Genocide” and “Right to Return, Right to Remain.”
#happeningnow Port Authority Police are arresting the demonstrators blocked the road into JFK Airport.
— Oliya Scootercaster 🛴 (@ScooterCasterNY) December 27, 2023
As the cops make arrests, dozens of passengers are pushing through the blockade with their luggage to try to make their flights. pic.twitter.com/prZAjusNAT
Meanwhile, over on the West Coast, pro-Palestinian protesters blocked traffic on West Century Boulevard going to Los Angeles International Airport.
Thirty-five people were reportedly arrested on charges relating to rioting, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Protesters in Los Angeles used various objects they found or brought from home in order to stop traffic from entering or leaving the roadway, according to Fox 11 Los Angeles.
In the aftermath of Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel, which left roughly 1,200 people dead and more than 200 people taken as hostages, Israel declared war on the terrorist organization.
Since the onset of the war, protests have sprouted up across the nation and worldwide calling for a ceasefire. Student organizations across several campuses have issued letters condemning Israel and expressing support for Hamas. Democratic donors, lawmakers, and White House interns have in turn expressed frustration with the Biden Administration’s response to the war and support for Israel.