Virginia’s governor responded Monday to a group of pro-Palestinian demonstrators who blocked part of an interstate highway in protest of Israel’s continued war with the terrorist group Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
“It is unacceptable to shut down interstates, endanger the lives of Virginians and cause havoc on our roadways,” Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin said in a post on X. He added that he was grateful for his efforts to ensure safety. I was able to respond quickly during my commute this morning. ”
The Republican governor’s comments came after Virginia State Police arrested nine protesters near Exit 78 near Arthur Ashe Boulevard in Richmond earlier in the day. Protesters secured themselves with tape and positioned themselves across Interstate 95, completely blocking the road.
Virginia State Police said the protesters used ladders, large metal chains and devices similar to “sleeping dragons.” Photos taken at the scene also showed protesters wearing sweaters with the words “Stop the Genocide” written on them.
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Virginia State Police arrested nine pro-Palestinian protesters Monday near Exit 78 along Arthur Ashe Boulevard in Richmond. (Virginia State Police)
Virginia State Police said in an online statement that they began receiving calls from multiple motorists about the road closure around 6:54 a.m.
“When state police arrived on scene, they encountered nine people lying in the southbound lanes. [had] “He linked himself together using two ladders, large metal chains and a ‘sleeping dragon’ device,” police said.
Authorities said the protesters used two ladders, large metal chains and a “sleeping dragon” device to chain themselves together. (Virginia State Police)
“At 7:09 a.m., State Police declared an unlawful assembly (Virginia Statutes 18.2-406…§ 18.2-406. What is an Unlawful Assembly? Penalties (virginia.gov)). “For a quick protest.” “Due to the reopening of the interstate, protesters were directed to the right southbound shoulder of the interstate. Three of the protesters voluntarily abandoned almost immediately. .They were taken into custody and transported off the interstate,” the statement continued.
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The southbound lanes were reopened about 10 minutes later, the agency said.
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin said pro-Palestinian protests that disrupted traffic on the interstate were “unacceptable.” (Julia Nickinson/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
Additional officers assisted in the arrests and six more protesters were taken into custody.
“Specially trained police officers arrived on scene and safely extricated the remaining six protesters from the Sleeping Dragon device, which consists of a large PVC pipe wrapped in wire mesh and a large metal chain. “The six individuals were subsequently taken into custody and removed from the interstate,” VSP said.
The war between Israel and Hamas has left tens of thousands of people dead on both sides, most of them Palestinian civilians. (Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
The scene was cleared by about 10:30 a.m., the statement said.
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The Richmond Police Department, Richmond Fire Department, and Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) all assisted in making arrests, securing the scene, controlling traffic, and communicating traffic advisories to residents.
The following protesters were charged with stopping another’s vehicle, impeding the free passage of another, unlawfully assembling, and being a pedestrian on an interstate.
- Zeneabideen Rasul Al Murshidi, 23, resident of Roanoke
- Max Hudson Gray Holland, 24, of Henrico.
- Charles D. Keynes, 23, of Round Hill.
- Kemp Walker Barber, 25, of Richmond.
- Connor Joris McCarty, 21, of Norfolk.
- Naomi Destiny Isaac, 25, of Richmond.
- Sarah Elizabeth Milkowski Dahlgren of Henrico
- Kenrick Keith Cameron Jr., 25, of Richmond.
- Jasmine Juliette Cuellar, 30, of Richmond.
There were no reports of injuries to protesters or law enforcement officers, police said.
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Israel has been at war with Hamas since the group carried out a surprise attack on Israeli soil on October 7, the deadliest attack in the nation’s history. The war has left tens of thousands of people dead on both sides, most of them Palestinian civilians.
The civilian death toll has sparked protests around the world.
