Protesters Arrested After Shutting Down Golden Gate Bridge: Reports

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — At least 20 people were taken into custody following protests that shut down both direction of the Golden Gate Bridge and northbound I-880, the California Highway Patrol reported.

Both directions of the Golden Gate Bridge and northbound I-880 were blocked for several hours Monday morning due to pro-Palestinian protests. The protests were planned as a part of a worldwide “economic blockade” called A15, designed to disrupt traffic and commerce to draw attention to Israel’s military actions in Gaza, according to numerous reports. Protestors also blocked the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City, and a road leading to Chicago O'Hare International Airport.

Both lanes of the Golden Gate Bridge were reopened by 12:21 p.m., according to CHP Marin. 880 is also open as of 3:30 p.m., according to 511.org.

The first Bay Area protest began on northbound I-880 in Oakland, where about 15 protesters blocked all lanes. As of 9:30 a.m., CHP issued a severe traffic alert on I-880 northbound south of 5th Avenue, where all lanes are blocked. Seven protesters were reportedly locked to six concrete-filled barrels weighing 250 pounds each on the freeway, next to a sign reading, “A-15 Economic blockade for a free Palestine,” according to KRON4.

Protests on the Golden Gate Bridge began at around 7:30 a.m. Monday on the southbound lane. Law enforcement shut down the northbound section as well, as well as pedestrian and bicycle traffic. A Sig-Alert was issued at 8:10 a.m. At around 10:30 a.m., CHP announced that it had made arrests.

Later protests took place at UN Plaza and Market and Hyde streets in San Francisco and along 5th Avenue in Oakland, according to Bay City News.