By LOS ANGELES, California – A group of pro-Palestine activists staged a bold demonstration on Tuesday morning by shutting down the busy 405 Freeway during rush hour, bringing traffic to a standstill as they called for an immediate ceasefire in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and demanded that the United States impose an arms embargo on Israel. The protest lasted for about an hour before law enforcement intervened, resulting in the arrest of nine individuals.
According to the California Highway Patrol, the protest caused significant disruption to one of the city’s main arteries, pausing traffic and leading to delays during one of the busiest times of the day. The protesters were detained without injury and subsequently charged with various offenses.
The demonstration was organized by the progressive Jewish activist group If Not Now LA, which has been vocal in its opposition to U.S. military aid to Israel. The group took to social media shortly after the protest to explain their actions, stating, “Today, American Jews risked their bodies to demand a lasting ceasefire and an end to U.S. military aid to Israel.”
The group’s statement continued, “Joe Biden’s administration cannot provide 14 billion dollars in unconditional aid to Israel, consigning the unbridled murders of Palestinian civilians. A call for a lasting ceasefire is only meaningful if there will be no more funds given to the Israeli military.”
During the protest, activists carried signs demanding an arms embargo and urging fellow Jews to reject the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), a pro-Israel lobbying group that heavily influences U.S. congressional races.
The protestors highlighted recent political developments, including the defeat of Representative Cori Bush, a critic of U.S. aid to Israel, as evidence of AIPAC’s significant impact on American politics.
The Los Angeles protest is part of a broader wave of similar demonstrations that have taken place across the country. In April, another group of activists blocked the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco to call for a ceasefire, mirroring Tuesday’s actions in Los Angeles.
This week, 26 individuals involved in the demonstration were charged with offenses including malicious mischief, conspiracy, trespassing, unlawful assembly, and obstructing a public highway.
The protests reflect growing discontent among certain American groups regarding U.S. policy in the Middle East, particularly in relation to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
As tensions continue to escalate overseas, domestic demonstrations like the one in Los Angeles underscore the divisive nature of the issue within the United States.
