Pro-Palestinian protesters blocked the I-190 access road to O’Hare International Airport, causing traffic delays on the Kennedy Expressway. The protesters, armed with signs reading “Free Palestine” and “Stop Genocide,” aimed to disrupt Boeing’s operations and demand an end to the U.S government’s arming of Israel. The demonstration, which began at 8 a.m., led to the arrests of 40 individuals between the ages of 19 and 43, as police attempted to contain the groups blocking traffic.
Videos shared on social media showed protesters sitting with their arms interlocked on the access road, preventing vehicles from reaching the airport. Organizers stated that the action was taken to draw attention to the American-funded bombings in Palestine and urged for change on Tax Day. Similar protests unfolded in other cities, including the complete blockage of traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco and the closure of all northbound lanes of Interstate 880 in Oakland, California. Despite the disruption, airport officials confirmed that traffic had resumed by around 9:15 a.m., and travelers were advised to use alternative modes of transportation such as the CTA Blue Line until traffic returned to normal.
