Protests Shut Down Brooklyn Bridge Into Manhattan: NYPD

BROOKLYN, NY — A large protest against New York City's latest vaccine mandate for municpal employees has shut down traffic on the Brooklyn Bridge.

Police shut down Manhattan-bound traffic on the inter-borough bridge just before noon on Monday given protest activity, according to Downtown Brooklyn's 84th Precinct.

The Associated Press identified the protesters as municipal employees marching against a vaccine mandate, which requires New York City public workers to get the COVID-19 vaccine by Oct. 29 or face unpaid leave. Around 46,000 city workers — including scores of cops and firefighters — remain unvaccinated, according to city data.

The traffic shut down lasted several hours and was lifted by 2:20 p.m., according to New York City's emergency management team. Officials advised that there could still be delays in the area.

Police suggested New Yorkers use alternate routes and allow for additional travel time.

Monday's protest comes after a similar rally at the Barclays Center briefly put the venue on lockdown on Sunday evening.

In that demonstration, protesters supporting Brooklyn Nets player Kyrie Irving's decision to remain unvaccinated stormed barricades at the stadium. Irving has been barred from playing given his refusal to get vaccinated.