Approximately 75 protesters affiliated with the group “If Not Now LA” briefly blocked all southbound lanes of the 110 freeway in Downtown Los Angeles this morning. The demonstration began around 9:00 AM local time and lasted for approximately 90 minutes, causing significant traffic disruptions.
Protesters reportedly sat down and locked arms in the southbound lanes of the freeway, effectively halting traffic flow. The group is known for its advocacy against Israeli policies and its support for Palestinian rights. They specifically called for an end to the ongoing conflict in Gaza and a withdrawal of American support for Israel.
California Highway Patrol officers arrived at the scene and began negotiating with the protesters. After unsuccessful attempts to persuade them to disperse, the officers proceeded to arrest all participants. As of 10:30 AM, all protesters had been apprehended and were being processed by police.
The demonstration caused major traffic congestion on the southbound side of the 110 freeway for several hours. While traffic has begun to flow again, it remains limited as officers continue clearing vehicles belonging to the protesters from the scene.
Stay Updated:
For further updates on this situation and the potential impact on traffic, please follow these resources:
- California Highway Patrol website: https://www.chp.ca.gov/: https://www.chp.ca.gov/
- Los Angeles Times: https://www.latimes.com/: https://www.latimes.com/
- City of Los Angeles website: https://www.lacity.org/: https://www.lacity.org/
This incident highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the diverse perspectives on this complex issue. While the protesters’ actions caused inconvenience and disruption, they also served to bring attention to a critical and deeply contested situation.
