Governor Youngkin Slams "Unacceptable" Highway Blockade By Pro-Palestinian Activists

By Javier Sanchez | Wednesday, 13 March 2024 01:50 PM
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Governor Youngkin Slams "Unacceptable" Highway Blockade By Pro-Palestinian Activists

In a recent incident in Virginia, a group of pro-Palestinian demonstrators obstructed a section of an interstate highway, protesting against Israel's ongoing conflict with the Hamas terrorist organization in Gaza.

The demonstration led to the arrest of nine protesters and a swift response from Virginia's Governor, Glenn Youngkin.

Governor Youngkin, a Republican, expressed his disapproval of the protest in a post on X, stating, "It is unacceptable to block interstates, endanger the lives of Virginians and cause mayhem on our roads." He also expressed his gratitude to the Virginia State Police for their swift action in ensuring safety during the morning commute.

The protesters, who had taped themselves together and positioned themselves across Interstate 95 near Exit 78 near Arthur Ashe Boulevard in Richmond, were arrested by the Virginia State Police. The police reported that the protesters used ladders, a large metal chain, and "sleeping dragon" devices to block the highway. The protesters were also seen wearing sweaters with the message, "STOP GENOCIDE."

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According to the Virginia State Police, they began receiving calls from motorists reporting the blocked road at approximately 6:54 a.m. Upon arrival, the police encountered nine individuals lying in the southbound lanes, linked together using the aforementioned devices.

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At 7:09 a.m., the state police declared an Unlawful Assembly under the Code of Virginia 18.2-406. For the protesters' safety and to expedite the reopening of the interstate lanes, the protesters were guided to the right, southbound shoulder of the interstate. Three of the protesters voluntarily surrendered and were taken into custody and transported off the interstate.

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Approximately ten minutes later, the southbound lanes were reopened to traffic. Additional officers assisted in the arrest, and six more protesters were taken into custody. Specially-trained troopers arrived at the scene to safely extricate the remaining six protesters from the sleeping dragon devices. The scene was cleared by approximately 10:30 a.m.

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The City of Richmond Police, City of Richmond Fire, and the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) all assisted in the arrests or in relaying scene safety, traffic control, and traffic advisories to residents. The protesters were charged with stopping the vehicle of another, obstructing free passage of others, unlawful assembly, and being a pedestrian on the interstate.

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There were no injuries reported by the protesters or the law enforcement officers.

The protest was in response to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which escalated after Hamas' surprise attack on October 7. This attack is considered the deadliest on Israeli soil in its history as a country.

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