A large group of demonstrators urging a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas War blocked traffic at Boston's South Station during rush hour Thursday morning, leading to dozens of people taken into custody.
Photos showed protesters standing side by side in a crosswalk, holding a large banner and blocking three lanes of traffic on Atlantic Avenue. Another photo showed at least one person being held by a police officer, with their arms behind their back. (See photos below.)
The group IfNotNow took credit for the demonstration, saying it was meant to draw attention to the plight of Palestinians. They more than 50 members of the Jewish-American anti-apartheid group were arrested, out of over 300 taking part in the protest.
"It's been five months since October 7, Israel's massacre is ongoing and over 130 hostages are still held in Gaza. That Biden has not called for a lasting ceasefire with a hostage exchange deal to end this massacre is outrageous," IfNotNow member Dalya Lessem Elnecave said in a statement.
Boston police said in a social media post at 8:23 a.m. that traffic was shut down in the area of Summer Street and Atlantic Avenue due to a protest. Drivers were urged to seek alternate routes. Police said in a follow-up post at 8:49 a.m. that they made several arrests, traffic had reopened and that more details will be released later in the day.
The demonstration came three days after over 100 people took part in a similar protest on Monday, temporarily blocking traffic on Summer Street.
See more photos of the protest here:
