Pro-Palestinian protesters block roads to JFK, LAX airports

Incidents at two of America's major airports saw a total of 62 arrests take place as traffic was temporarily halted.

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators block traffic on the road that leads to John F Kennedy airport (JFK), amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas, in New York City, US. December 27, 2023. (photo credit: REUTERS/STEPHANIE KEITH)
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators block traffic on the road that leads to John F Kennedy airport (JFK), amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas, in New York City, US. December 27, 2023.
(photo credit: REUTERS/STEPHANIE KEITH)

Pro-Palestinian protesters gathered to block the roads leading to JFK Airport in New York City and LAX Airport in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

The New York City incident began at 11:00 AM Wednesday when several cars blocked the expressway leading to the major airport and passengers exited their vehicles.

Videos from the scene showed dozens of people linking their hands and blocking traffic on the highway and a service road, forcing travelers to walk to their terminals in the rain with their luggage. 

Protesters continued blocking traffic and chanting pro-Palestinian slogans for nearly an hour as police arrived. Some of them carried banners saying “Right to return home” and “Divest from genocide,” while common chants like "From the River to the Sea" were heard from among the crowd of demonstrators, the New York Post reported.

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators are detained by Port Authority police after blocking traffic on the road that leads to John F Kennedy airport (JFK), amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas, in New York City, US. (credit: STEPHANIE KEITH/REUTERS)
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators are detained by Port Authority police after blocking traffic on the road that leads to John F Kennedy airport (JFK), amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas, in New York City, US. (credit: STEPHANIE KEITH/REUTERS)

26 arrests were made and traffic was restored, Port Authority police said.

The incident in Los Angeles also saw a few dozen protesters block the airport entrance and attempt to block the roadway with cement blocks and other objects.

Videos show police approaching the protesters, leading them to flee. LAPD said an estimated 35 demonstrators were arrested, according to Fox 11.

Pro-Palestinian protests

Protesters in support of Palestinians have disrupted public order worldwide as a means of raising awareness for their cause. 


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Hundreds of protesters turned out in Manhattan on Christmas Day for a rally where they disrupted tourists and holiday shoppers. Demonstrators also descended on the homes of US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan as they celebrated Christmas at home with their families.

Last month, anti-Israel protesters disrupted the Thanksgiving Day Parade by gluing their hands to the middle of Sixth Avenue and covering themselves in fake blood.