More Than 300 Pro-Palestinian Protesters Arrested, Cops Say

Update: 4:22 p.m. Monday

NEW YORK CITY — More than 300 pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested after they blocked traffic onto three major New York City bridges and into the Holland Tunnel, police said.

The demonstrations calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, among other actions, lasted more than an hour Monday, authorities said.

By 11:15 a.m., NYPD and Port Authority cops arrested 325 people, tweeted John Chell, the chief of patrol for city police.

"In lieu of summons,many protestors will face misdemeanor charges with a desk appearance ticket," he tweeted.

Today protesters blocked 3 bridges and the Holland Tunnel at 9:40 AM. By 11:15 AM we are able to clear the locations with 325 arrests along with @PANYNJ. In lieu of summons,many protestors will face misdemeanor charges with a desk appearance ticket. https://t.co/OctjHres1A
— NYPD Chief of Patrol (@NYPDChiefPatrol) January 8, 2024

Update: 11:36 a.m.

NEW YORK CITY — Protesters calling for Palestinian freedom marched on to Wall Street as others shut down key bridges in New York City.

The Wall Street demonstrations Monday morning were part of "#ShutItDown4Palestine," a hashtag linked to similar protests in New York, Los Angeles and elsewhere, according to social media posts.

"There will be NO BUSINESS AS USUAL," tweeted an account linked to the protests.

Videos from a protest on the Brooklyn Bridge showed cops arresting demonstrators and cutting through links chaining them together.

The Brooklyn, Manhattan and Williamsburg bridges reopened for traffic as of roughly 11:30 a.m., ABC7 reported.

NEW YORK CITY — Pro-Palestinian protesters shut down traffic on major New York City bridges and tunnels Monday morning, officials said and videos show.

Protests hit the Brooklyn, Manhattan and Williamsburg bridges, as well the Holland Tunnel, officials said.

Videos from the Brooklyn Bridge show protesters, some with their arms encased in concrete-filled tires, blocking traffic. Others sat in the roadway demanding a ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and Hamas that has left tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza dead.

"End the occupation now," they chanted, according to the video.

Videos from the Holland Tunnel show Port Authority cops arresting protesters.

Motorists can expect traffic delays on near the protests, the NYPD tweeted.

ADVISORY: Due to ongoing protest activity expect traffic delays near the Brooklyn, Manhattan and Williamsburg Bridges and the Holland Tunnel.

Please use alternate routes. pic.twitter.com/dFP3qosBFv
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) January 8, 2024