2024-04-16 07:10:51
Demonstrators block San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, paralyzing traffic in support of Palestine
(AFP, Los Angeles, 15th) Pro-Palestinian demonstrators blocked San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge today, causing traffic to be completely paralyzed for several hours, in response to a day of action held in tandem with Chicago and other cities to oppose Israel’s war in Gaza.
Aerial footage this morning showed that vehicles in one direction of the Golden Gate Bridge were immobilized, while the opposite lane was empty, with only police present.
Called by the pro-Palestinian organization A15 Action, similar protests have been launched in the United States and around the world to support Palestine.
A15 Action stated on its website: “In each city, we will identify and seize the main chokepoints of the economy, focusing on production and commodity circulation hubs to create the greatest economic impact.”
Protesters blocked roads in Philadelphia today and blocked highways leading to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, forcing some passengers to walk to catch their flights.
Demonstrators also plan to hold protests in Canada, Italy, South Korea, Colombia and Belgium, and A15 Action also posted photos of mass demonstrations in Greece, Spain and Australia on social media X.
Demonstrators blocking traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge held up signs that read “Stop the world for Gaza.”
“We know that what really speaks to (elected leaders) is money,” a demonstrator who gave his name as Hayshawiya told the San Francisco Chronicle on the bridge. Ya added that they would remain at the scene until police dispersed the protesters.
The California Highway Patrol announced at nearly 12:30 p.m. that traffic in both directions on the Golden Gate Bridge had reopened following posting on X that police had arrested dozens of people.
As protests spread across the country today, US President Joe Biden is facing criticism from his own party over Washington’s continued support for Israel.
According to Israeli statistics, Hamas militants launched an unprecedented raid in October last year, killing 1,170 people, most of them civilians. Israel immediately launched a punitive attack on Gaza.
The Ministry of Health in Gaza, which is controlled by Hamas, said that at least 33,797 people have died in Gaza, mostly women and children.
At another protest in Los Angeles, hundreds of demonstrators marched through downtown carrying signs that read “End the siege of Gaza immediately and end U.S. funding for Israel.”
Pro-Palestinian protests have also been seen in Connecticut and Oregon.
Demonstrators in New York took to the Brooklyn Bridge and blocked traffic for a time until police arrested people and allowed traffic to flow once more. (Translator: Liu Wenyu/Verification: Zhang Xiaowen)
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