Red Right Daily

Truth in Freedom

Protests Take Place Across The Country

Protests Take Place Across The Country

San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge was shut down for hours on Monday as anti-Israel protesters staged a demonstration, causing major traffic jams and delays for commuters and travelers. The famous bridge was closed in both directions, disrupting traffic and causing chaos for those trying to cross it. The San Francisco Department of Emergency Management issued a statement early Monday afternoon, alerting drivers to the closure and advising them to use alternative routes.

The closure was a result of dozens of anti-Israel activists who stopped their vehicles on all southbound lanes of the bridge, demanding an end to US support for Israel’s war. Some protesters even chained themselves together, using the “Sleeping Dragon” method, which involves pipes, barrels, and linked arms. The California Highway Patrol issued a Sig-alert and suspended pedestrian and bicycle traffic across the bridge in an effort to control the situation.

By late afternoon, the bridge had been reopened in both directions, but not before several protesters were arrested, and others had to be removed after chaining themselves to cars. The closures caused a major disruption to traffic in the area, with frustrated commuters and travelers taking to social media to voice their displeasure. Many questioned the effectiveness of the protesters’ actions and called for them to be arrested for blocking traffic.

Protests also took place on Interstate 880 in Oakland, where barrels chained together blocked the road and demonstrators sat in lawn chairs, arms entwined. Riot police were called in to clear the demonstrators. Similar scenes unfolded at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, where activists sat in the middle of Interstate 190 and used long tubes to prevent cars from accessing the airport. Thousands of travelers were forced to get out of their cars and make their way to the airport on foot, as the protesters called for an economic blockade in support of Palestinians and an arms embargo on Israel.

Organizers of the protests, known as A15, called for a worldwide economic blockade to support Palestinians and condemn US support for Israel. They specifically targeted the day of April 15, which is tax day for most Americans, to highlight the use of taxpayer money to fund Israel’s actions in Palestine. The protests were also fueled by recent events in the region, including the Israeli bombardment of Gaza and ongoing violence between Israel and Palestine. The demonstrations were aimed at sending a strong message to the US government and the American people about the consequences of their support for Israel.

Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, one of the busiest in the world, was significantly affected by the demonstrations, causing major delays and disruptions to travelers. The airport authorities were forced to close roads leading to the airport, and passengers were advised to consider using alternative modes of transportation, such as the CTA Blue Line. By 9:30 am, the airport’s roads had reopened, but significant delays were reported. Despite the disruptions, protesters remained unapologetic about their actions, stating that there will be “NO business as usual” until Palestinians are no longer suffering from American-funded bombings.

The protests were not limited to just San Francisco and Chicago; similar demonstrations were reported in other cities across the country, including New York City. In Lower Manhattan, hundreds of anti-Israeli protesters marched on the Brooklyn Bridge, causing major traffic delays as police in riot gear tried to contain the unrest. The protests are expected to continue in the coming days, as tensions between Israel and Palestine continue to escalate. The disruption and inconvenience caused by these demonstrations highlight the deep divide and strong emotions surrounding the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Written by Mark Stevens - April 16, 2024