Pro-Palestinian protesters halted traffic in NYC on Sunday afternoon by descending at the foot of the Manhattan Bridge and demanding a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
Hundreds of protesters sat down on the heavily trafficked East River overpass and held their fists in the air while shouting “Let Gaza Live” and wearing shirts that read “Cease Fire Now.”
They called for President Joe Biden to end his support of Israel’s military campaign.
“Business as usual cannot continue, as thousands of Palestinians are trapped under the rubble,” Jay Saper, of the protest-organizing Jewish Voice for Peace, told The Post.
“We’ve gathered to raise our voices for a permanent and lasting ceasefire. The majority of Americans are with us, polling shows that.
“We’re elevating the voices of New Yorkers who are calling for a ceasefire.”
The demonstrators demanded that the US halt its military support for Israel, and pressure the leaders of the Jewish state to end its assault on Gaza.
“We don’t believe there is a military solution,” Saper said. “We believe the causes of violence are oppression. We first need to address 75 years of Israeli apartheid. Sixteen years of suffering and blockade against the people of Gaza.”
It was unclear on Sunday evening whether there were any arrests were made for blocking traffic.
Despite the organizers’ claim of widespread support, everyday New Yorkers were furious that the traffic blockade was throwing a wrench in their travel plans.
“Oh hell no — I have to get across the bridge!” Pam Allen, a fashion model on her way to a show in Brooklyn, told The Post. “I’m all for peace, but this right here, this is a problem.”
“I get it, I understand the message,” she continued. “But this solves nothing!”
“I’m just trying to get home after working all night!” lamented one person who was driving a commercial van. “This makes me mad. How do I get home?”
In Hicksville, Long Island hundreds of protesters gathered outside a Dunkin’ Donuts to march past the offices of defense contractor Northrop Grumman.
Noura Farouk from the organization “Mothers For Justice” addressed the gathering while standing on the back of a pickup truck with a megaphone.
Farouk emphasized that the overwhelming number of fatalities in Gaza were women and children.
“Children have been orphaned in the blink of an eye. There’s no politics that justifies this.” Farouk said. “All mothers and parents should be aware that 50 percent of Gaza is children.”