Pro-Palestinian protests block New York City bridges, Holland Tunnel; over 300 arrested

The Holland Tunnel and the three bridges have since reopened.

January 8, 2024, 3:33 PM

New York City police arrested hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters who blocked traffic at the entrances to the Holland Tunnel and three East River bridges during the Monday morning commute, officials said.

In total, 325 people were arrested by the Port Authority and New York Police Department at the four locations, according to NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell.

"In lieu of summons, many protestors will face misdemeanor charges with a desk appearance ticket," Chell wrote on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators are taken into custody by the NYPD after blocking a Brooklyn Bridge roadway during a 'Shut it Down for Palestine' protest in New York, Jan. 8, 2024.
Shannon Stapleton/Reuters

About 120 of those arrests were made for blocking entrances to the Holland Tunnel, which links downtown Manhattan with New Jersey, authorities said.

Protests also broke out at the Brooklyn Bridge, Williamsburg Bridge and Manhattan Bridge, which connect Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators block a Brooklyn Bridge roadway during a 'Shut it Down for Palestine' protest in New York, Jan. 8, 2024.
Shannon Stapleton/Reuters

The Holland Tunnel and the three bridges have since reopened.

The Manhattan Bridge's upper level remained open during the protests as the protesters were on the lower level.

Protesters against the war in Gaza are arrested for blocking traffic at the entrance to the Holland Tunnel on Jan. 8, 2024 in New York.
Bryan R. Smith/AFP via Getty Images
NYPD officers arrest pro-Palestinian protesters as they gathered and blocked the Manhattan entrance of the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City on Jan. 8, 2024.
Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images