At least 26 protesters were arrested during an anti-Israel demonstration that blocked a highway to John F. Kennedy International Airport on Wednesday, police said.
The protest began around 11 a.m. when about five cars stopped abruptly on the Van Wyck Highway in front of an Israeli flag flying near Terminal 4 at the Queens airport.
Some protesters got out of their vehicles and unfurled a banner that read “Right to Return Home” and “Divest from Genocide.”
Videos posted on social media Up to 40 people with clasped hands were later shown blocking traffic on the highway and a service road, forcing travelers to walk to their terminals in the rain with their luggage.
Protesters could be seen chanting “From the river to the sea,” a slogan many see as a call for the elimination of Israel, and “Free, free Palestine” while waving Palestinian flags.
Exasperated travelers could also be seen exiting their taxis and continuing toward the airport on foot, including a man seen by a Post photographer asking Port Authority Police Department officers why they couldn’t remove the protesters. .
A group of about 40 protesters blocked traffic leading to John F. Kennedy International Airport on Wednesday. Stephen Yang for NY Post The protest began around 11 a.m. when about five cars stopped abruptly on the highway in front of a waving Israeli flag near Terminal 4. Stephen Yang for NY Post
The demonstration continued for about half an hour as more Port Authority police arrived, and officers eventually sprang into action and handcuffed protesters who were still chanting.
While the protesters were removed, others broke the chain, allowing cars and buses to pass again.
Meanwhile, protesters were seen with their hands cuffed behind their backs sitting on the sidewalk before being placed inside an MTA bus.
At least 26 people were detained and later released with appearance tickets, police sources said.
Police handcuffed and arrested more than 20 protesters involved in the demonstration. Stephen Yang for NY Post The protest forced would-be passengers to exit their vehicles and walk to their terminals in the rain. Stephen Yang for the New York Post
There were no fights during the protest, and one of the protesters was seen apparently handing one of the blocked taxi drivers a $50 bill for his inconvenience.
The protest occurred while a similar one was taking place in front of the Los Angeles International Airport, in southern California.
Videos of the The demonstration in Los Angeles showed another group of at least two dozen people holding signs in the middle of the street that read: “Ceasefire is not enough. Land back! “Free Palestine.”
Police apparently in riot gear could also be seen in another video approaching the protesters.
When the officers arrived, the protesters fled in different directions, while those who were not fast enough were detained.
Shortly after 10 a.m. local time, at least a dozen protesters were detained, according to Fox 11.
The police arrest a protester. Stephen Yang for NY Post About 26 people were detained and taken to an MTA bus after the demonstration. Stephen Yang for the New York Post
in a statement aboutThe LAPD said it was “aware of an ongoing protest in the LAX area.”
“Currently traffic in the area is affected. Please avoid the area and continue to monitor for updates.”
An LAPD spokesperson said officers arrested 35 people for rioting and one for assault on a police officer.
Additional reporting by Stephen Yang
Protesters detained before being arrested by Los Angeles police officers on Wednesday, December 27, 2023, near Los Angeles International Airport. AP Pro-Palestinian protesters briefly blocked the roads leading into LAX. AP Exasperated travelers could be seen getting out of their taxis and continuing their journey on foot to JFK Airport. Stephen Yang for NY Post More supporters were seen among the backed-up traffic near JFK. Stephen Yang for NY Post Pro-Palestine protesters were arrested by Port Authority police after blocking a portion of the Van Wyck Expressway next to JFK Airport. Stephen Yang for the New York Post
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