NEW DELHI: In a dramatic escalation of tensions in New York City, hundreds of anti-Israeli protesters wreaked havoc in downtown Manhattan on Monday, effectively shutting down traffic on the Brooklyn Bridge. The protesters, part of a larger national movement responding to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, converged on the bridge around 3:45pm, leading to immediate traffic disruptions and a swift response from the NYPD.
The chaotic scene saw protesters, some of whom burned American flags, storm the Manhattan-bound side of the bridge, as documented in social media posts and live footage. NYPD officers, equipped in riot gear, quickly moved in to contain the situation, resulting in the arrest of at least two dozen participants. According to a protester on the scene, the police adopted a zero-tolerance policy, blocking further access to the bridge and preventing the demonstrators from advancing toward City Hall, a New York Post report said.
The protest in New York is part of a series of nationwide demonstrations, including disruptions at major transportation hubs like Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. These protests have seen roads to arrivals and departures blocked, causing significant delays and forcing some passengers to walk past the protests with their luggage.
Back in New York, the protest escalated into the evening with reports of smoke billowing outside One Police Plaza around 7:30pm, as protesters lit flares and chanted pro-Palestinian slogans. This marks yet another significant protest in the city following previous demonstrations that have targeted Midtown holiday festivities and other iconic locations.
The NYPD, under the command of Deputy Chief Timothy Beaudette, who clashed with protesters on the bridge, continues to monitor the situation closely. These protests have strained city resources and have highlighted the growing domestic responses to international conflicts.
Meanwhile, pro-Palestinian demonstrators disrupted traffic on San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, causing significant delays for commuters entering the city on Monday morning.
The California Highway Patrol shut down both directions of the famous bridge when officers worked to redirect vehicles hemmed in by the group of protesters. The demonstrators, numbering in the dozens, displayed a banner proclaiming “Stop the World for Gaza.”
This ongoing unrest underscores the deeply polarized opinions surrounding the Israeli actions in Gaza and the broader implications for communities across the US. As tensions continue to simmer, city officials and law enforcement are bracing for more disruptions, keeping a vigilant watch over these increasingly frequent and volatile demonstrations.
(With inputs from agencies)
The chaotic scene saw protesters, some of whom burned American flags, storm the Manhattan-bound side of the bridge, as documented in social media posts and live footage. NYPD officers, equipped in riot gear, quickly moved in to contain the situation, resulting in the arrest of at least two dozen participants. According to a protester on the scene, the police adopted a zero-tolerance policy, blocking further access to the bridge and preventing the demonstrators from advancing toward City Hall, a New York Post report said.
The protest in New York is part of a series of nationwide demonstrations, including disruptions at major transportation hubs like Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. These protests have seen roads to arrivals and departures blocked, causing significant delays and forcing some passengers to walk past the protests with their luggage.
Back in New York, the protest escalated into the evening with reports of smoke billowing outside One Police Plaza around 7:30pm, as protesters lit flares and chanted pro-Palestinian slogans. This marks yet another significant protest in the city following previous demonstrations that have targeted Midtown holiday festivities and other iconic locations.
The NYPD, under the command of Deputy Chief Timothy Beaudette, who clashed with protesters on the bridge, continues to monitor the situation closely. These protests have strained city resources and have highlighted the growing domestic responses to international conflicts.
Meanwhile, pro-Palestinian demonstrators disrupted traffic on San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, causing significant delays for commuters entering the city on Monday morning.
The California Highway Patrol shut down both directions of the famous bridge when officers worked to redirect vehicles hemmed in by the group of protesters. The demonstrators, numbering in the dozens, displayed a banner proclaiming “Stop the World for Gaza.”
This ongoing unrest underscores the deeply polarized opinions surrounding the Israeli actions in Gaza and the broader implications for communities across the US. As tensions continue to simmer, city officials and law enforcement are bracing for more disruptions, keeping a vigilant watch over these increasingly frequent and volatile demonstrations.
(With inputs from agencies)