Philadelphia Protest for Gaza Cease-Fire Ends After 2 Hours
- A protest demanding a permanent cease-fire in Gaza took place in Philadelphia and involved about 150 people blocking traffic on I-76 westbound and the Spring Garden Street Bridge for approximately two hours. The protest was organized by the group Jewish Voice for Peace.
- The protesters used cars to block the highway during rush hour traffic, leading to around 32 arrests by city officers assisting Pennsylvania State Police. The protesters will be cited for blocking I-76.
- Following their removal from I-76, the group held a sit-in on the Spring Garden Street Bridge, chanting, singing, and holding signs. They then marched to the Art Museum steps. The protest was described as peaceful by the police, who monitored the situation to ensure it did not escalate.
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Protest for a Permanent Gaza Ceasefire in Philadelphia
A protest advocating for a continuous ceasefire in Gaza ended following a traffic blockage on I-76 westbound and the Spring Garden Street Bridge in Philadelphia. The demonstration comprised around 150 participants and lasted for two hours.
Protesters, led by Jewish Voice for Peace, initially blocked rush hour traffic on I-76. Interim Philadelphia Police Commissioner John Stanford explained that protestors used their vehicles to blockade the highway.
An estimated 32 people were arrested for blocking the highway and will receive citations, according to Stanford.
A participant defended the disruption, saying it was vital for communicating their message. The woman argued that the inconvenience experienced by traffic-goers was trivial compared to the urgent need for a ceasefire in Gaza.
After leaving I-76, the group staged a sit-in on the Spring Garden Street Bridge over I-76. They chanted, sang, and displayed signs reading “Let Gaza Live” and “Cease Fire Now”. Following a march to the Art Museum steps, the protest concluded peacefully.
The police maintained surveillance over the protest to prevent escalation. Notably, the protest caused significant traffic delays near the Art Museum on I-76.
Jewish Voice for Peace had previously staged a sit-in at 30th Street Station on November 2nd, leading to delays for commuters and Amtrak riders. Read more about it here.
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Article by Josh Sanders, a journalist shaped by life-changing events. Sanders joined the CBS News Philadelphia family in August 2023 as a reporter and multi-skilled journalist.
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