Large mobs of anti-Israel demonstrators occupied three bridges in New York City and the Holland Tunnel in Manhattan, and more than 300 people were arrested on Monday morning.
Crowds of “Shut Down for Palestine” protesters rallied through City Hall Park and descended on the tunnels and the Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and Manhattan bridges.
Footage obtained by BreakThrough News shows members of the group standing, sitting and holding banners across the road.
What's happening now: Pro-Palestinian supporters are simultaneously taking direct action across New York City.
Supporters have formed human chains in front of the Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, and Holland Tunnel. pic.twitter.com/ucCIRppHUJ
— Breakthrough News (@BTnewsroom) January 8, 2024
“You're blocking traffic, you idiot!” one driver yelled as he was blocked by protesters at a Williamsburg Bridge intersection.
Angry New York City driver shoves Palestinian protesters blocking Williamsburg Bridge out of the way in rush-hour traffic this morning
“You idiot blocking traffic, you can't do that, it's against the law.” pic.twitter.com/0bQLsAgUHN
— Elad Eliahu (@elaadeliahu) January 8, 2024
“You can't do that! It's against the law,” he shouted, while another man who was recording the incident yelled, “Hit everyone!” Get rid of them! ”
The driver then got out of his car, shoved three protesters, and warned them to stay away from his car, shouting, “Brooklyn has a daughter!” …I have to go home! ”
Eventually, the group of demonstrators withdrew.
The local ABC affiliate reported that protesters had blocked the New Jersey-bound lanes of the Holland Tunnel and that Port Authority police were called. arrest 120 protesters The tunnel reopened after 10:30 a.m.
As the arrests began, the crowd chanted, “NYPD, KKK, IDF, we're all the same!” He compares the New York City Police Department (NYPD) and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to the Ku Klux Klan (KKK).
Now: “NYPD KKK and IDF are all the same” chants pro-Palestinian supporters as a line of arrested and handcuffed protesters appears in the Holland Tunnel. pic.twitter.com/VJHhGuDqLN
— Breakthrough News (@BTnewsroom) January 8, 2024
at least 40 demonstrators It took over of brooklyn bridge According to the station, around 10 a.m. new york post.
Police descended on the bridge, some breaking through the demonstrators' chains.
Now: Police break the chains of protesters and make mass arrests on the Brooklyn Bridge. pic.twitter.com/BfIktzsK3q
— Breakthrough News (@BTnewsroom) January 8, 2024
“Get out of Syria, get out of Iraq, get out of Palestine and don't come back,” they chanted as police lined up handcuffed protesters for transport on buses.
Now: Protesters arrested on the Brooklyn Bridge wait to be deported, chanting: “Get out of Syria, get out of Iraq, get out of Palestine, don't come back.” pic.twitter.com/y74AQ4Y29G
— Breakthrough News (@BTnewsroom) January 8, 2024
Additional footage obtained by BreakThrough News shows NYPD making mass arrests on the Manhattan Bridge.
Now: Pro-Palestinian supporters arrested and removed from Manhattan Bridge pic.twitter.com/PsTl6ZOVUk
— Breakthrough News (@BTnewsroom) January 8, 2024
brooklyn bridge resumed The Manhattan and Williamsburg bridges reopened around 11:30 a.m., ABC7NY reported.
In total, more than 330 people were arrested in connection with the demonstrations, many of whom are likely to face misdemeanor charges with desk tickets.
