Pro-Palestine protesters block roads into JFK, LAX airports
- Police say 26 were arrested at JFK during a pro-Palestine demonstration
- LAPD arrested 36 in a protest described as "not peaceful"
- The protests took place during one of the busiest travel days of the year
(NewsNation) — Pro-Palestinian protesters briefly blocked the road into John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City, on one of the busiest travel days of the year.
Video shows police arresting the protesters and loading them onto an airport bus as they are taken into custody.
At JFK, video of the protest showed demonstrators joining hands to create a line that blocked traffic. Protesters held signs calling for a free Palestine and chanted, “From the sea to the river, Palestine will live forever.”
Police say 26 arrests were made for disorderly conduct and impeding vehicular traffic, according to the DailyMail.
“During the disruption, the Port Authority dispatched two airport buses, offering rides to travelers involved in the backup to allow them to reach the airport safely,” Port Authority media relations said.
Protest activity has also caused disruptions at Los Angeles International Airport, according to the LAPD.
The LAPD arrested approximately 36 people after dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters blocked lanes of traffic outside an entrance to LAX.
Footage captured by Sky5 shows dozens of demonstrators, who were calling for a ceasefire in Israel and Palestine, running from authorities through streets and parking lots.
The demonstration was described as “not peaceful” by NewsNation’s California affiliate KTLA.
“The LAPD’s objective is to ensure public safety for all while facilitating the First Amendment rights of those peacefully demonstrating, however, this was not a peaceful demonstration,” LAPD officials said on X, Wednesday. “Protesters threw a police officer to the ground, used construction debris, road signs, tree branches and blocks of concrete to obstruct Century Boulevard while attacking uninvolved passersby in their vehicles.”
Law enforcement officials reopened the entrance ramp by 10 a.m. Wednesday and traffic resumed as usual. No flights were impacted, airport police said.
This is a developing story. Refresh for updates.