Pro-Palestinian Demonstration That Stopped Interstate Travel Deemed “Unacceptable” By Governor

(PatriotPostNews.com) – Following a pro-Palestinian demonstration that blocked interstate travel in Richmond, Virginia, the state’s governor has responded by calling the disruption “unacceptable.”

On Monday, March 11, a group protesting the Israeli military action in the Gaza Strip completely blocked Old Dominion’s busiest interstate, I-95, outside of the state capital. The incident resulted in a dangerous risk to both protestors and drivers, occurring as the morning commute was underway.

Southbound traffic on I-95, near an interchange with neighboring I-64, came to a standstill just before 7am on Monday, when a minimum of nine protestors connected themselves with ladders, chicken wire, and pipes to block the road. The demonstrators also wore clothing with the message, “STOP GENOCIDE” written on it.

Later in the day, Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin responded to the incident on X, writing that the act of blocking the highway was “unacceptable” as it “endanger[ed] the lives of Virginians” and sparked “mayhem” on the road. He added thanks to the Virginia State Police (VSP) having swiftly responded to the incident and “ensuring safety” for those traveling on I-95.

According to VSP, several calls from drivers came in just before 7am. Less than 20 minutes later, the agency had declared an unlawful assembly, per the Code of Virginia. Protestors were moved to the shoulder of the highway and subsequently arrested and taken off the road. Shortly after, the interstate was reopened, and the morning traffic proceeded.

While three protestors surrendered immediately, the remaining six had to be removed by “specially trained troopers” as they were entangled in the piping, wire, and a metal chain. Once out of their devices, the protestors were arrested without further issue.

Zayneabideen Rasul Al-Murshidi, Max Holland, Charles Caines, Kemp Barber, Connor McCarty, Naomi Isaac, Sarah Dahlgren, and Jasmine Cuellar were among those arrested, all of whom are between the ages of 21 and 30. They face various charges, including pedestrian on the interstate, obstructing traffic, stopping vehicles, and unlawful assembly.