NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – A total of 325 people were arrested after groups of protesters blocked traffic at the entrances to three bridges and a tunnel in Lower Manhattan for more than an hour on Monday morning.
The apparently coordinated, pro-Palestinian demonstrations shut down the outbound Brooklyn, Manhattan and Williamsburg bridges around 9:40 a.m.
The New Jersey–bound Holland Tunnel was also shut down by demonstrators.
Pro-Palestinian protesters are pictured blocking traffic on the Manhattan Bridge.Theodore Parisienne/New York Daily News/Tribune News Service via Getty Images
The protesters were cleared by 11:15 a.m. and 325 arrests were made by NYPD and Port Authority Police, according to NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell. The exact charges were unclear, but most will probably face misdemeanors.
At the height of the protest, the bridges and tunnel were closed to all outbound traffic. The crossings were back to normal in the afternoon following lingering delays.
Protesters are arrested for blocking traffic at the entrance to the Holland Tunnel.BRYAN R. SMITH/AFP via Getty Images
NYPD officers arrest protesters as they gathered and blocked the Manhattan entrance of the Brooklyn Bridge.ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images
The protest caused major delays and detours for some bus routes, including M55, M15 and M15-SBS buses, the MTA said.
Travelers told 1010 WINS that they missed flights doctor visits, with one woman saying, "For two hours we've been stuck in a loop, like this is the second bridge we've been trying to go to. And we just want to get to LaGuardia."
"I have an appointment with a doctor," a man said. "I don't know why they made this protest, but that's not the way to do it."
The protest comes as the Israel-Hamas war enters its fourth month. The protest is similar to others that disrupted traffic in recent weeks, including one after Christmas that shut down the Van Wyck Expressway leading to JFK Airport, causing some travelers to walk on the expressway to their terminal.
Protesters are arrested for blocking traffic at the entrance to the Holland Tunnel.BRYAN R. SMITH/AFP via Getty Images
Traffic was blocked at the outbound Holland Tunnel.Citizen App
Protesters blocked the outbound entrance to the Williamsburg Bridge.Kimberly Dole
Protesters on the Brooklyn Bridge Monday morning.Citizen App
Brooklyn-bound traffic was unable to enter the Brooklyn Bridge.Citizen App
