|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Anti-Israel Protest Causes Travel Chaos on New Year’s Day at JFK Airport
Edited by: TJVNews.com
On New Year’s Day, travelers heading to John F. Kennedy International Airport faced a significant travel headache as anti-Israel protesters from the activist group Within Our Lifetime organized a demonstration, leading to traffic disruptions on one of the busiest travel days of the year, as was reported by the New York Post. The Belt Parkway, a key route to the airport, was temporarily blocked near Exit 20 by police attempting to control the flow of the “Flood JFK For Gaza” protest.
The pro-Palestine mob has shut down Belt Parkway as they head to JFK Airport Terminal 4 for their ‘flood JFK for Gaza’ protest.
What a bunch of misfits!
pic.twitter.com/9RQaJta7DF— 🇺🇸ProudArmyBrat (@leslibless) January 1, 2024
Video footage shared on social media depicted more than a dozen cars adorned with Palestinian flags, honking horns, and contributing to the gridlock on the parkway just before the planned demonstration at 2 p.m, the Post report said. The NYPD Chief of Transportation, Philip Rivera, advised travelers to plan their journeys in advance and anticipate delays due to the planned protests.
Meanwhile, rail travel proved challenging as the shuttle train at Jamaica station restricted access to employees and individuals with boarding passes, exacerbating the travel woes for those attempting to reach JFK International Airport.
This looks no different from the roads in the ME.
They are being stopped just outside of JFK airport. I say load em up on a flight to GAZA. pic.twitter.com/ruhdgedLkS
— Spitfire (@DogRightGirl) January 1, 2024
According to the report in the Post, this disruption follows closely on the heels of a similar incident where at least 26 protesters were arrested for blocking the Van Wyck Expressway, impeding access to the Queen’s airport. In that instance, around 40 demonstrators joined hands, obstructing both the highway and a service road, compelling stranded travelers to trek to their terminals in the rain with their luggage, the Post report added.
As the “Flood JFK For Gaza” protest progressed, the NYPD sent out an advisory around 3 p.m., indicating that the demonstration was moving towards LaGuardia Airport on the Grand Central Parkway, as per the Post. The right and center lanes were reportedly blocked, further complicating traffic conditions in the area.
🚨𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚- The planned Palestinian protest ‘FLOOD JFK FOR GAZA’ at the JFK international airport in Queens, New York is already ramping up with hundreds of protestors already gathering to begin.
The police at JFK airport in New York City are making significant… pic.twitter.com/oCF5zIHAia
— Right Angle News Network (@Rightanglenews) January 1, 2024
The NYPD did not immediately respond to the Post’s requests for comment on the unfolding situation. The series of protests on major routes to New York City airports highlights the intersection of political activism and public inconvenience, emphasizing the impact of such demonstrations on the broader community, especially during peak travel times.
