The California Highway Patrol (CHP) has issued a stern warning against the disruptive tactics employed by anti-Israel protesters that caused chaos on the Golden Gate Bridge and Interstate-880 in Oakland. The CHP's Golden Gate Division reported the arrest of 38 individuals involved in the incidents.
During the protests, demonstrators obstructed traffic by unfurling a banner with the message 'Stop the world for Gaza' and attaching themselves to 55-gallon drums filled with concrete. These actions led to charges of unlawful assembly, resisting officers, and false imprisonment being filed against the protesters.
The CHP emphasized that blocking freeways and highways for protests is not only illegal but also endangers motorists and disrupts public safety. The agency condemned such actions in a statement, highlighting the risks posed to individuals trying to reach their destinations.
A15 Action, the activist group associated with the protests, did not respond to requests for comments on the incidents.
During the Golden Gate Bridge demonstration, officers encountered vehicles using chains concealed with pipes to connect drivers and passengers outside the vehicles. Similar tactics were observed on I-880, where protesters used heavy-duty chains and cement-filled drums to impede traffic.
The CHP's disentanglement team had to employ jackhammers and saws to remove the devices, ensuring the safe arrest of the protesters while minimizing risks to the public and law enforcement personnel.
In total, 26 individuals were arrested during the Golden Gate Bridge protest, while a dozen were taken into custody for the I-880 demonstrations in Oakland. The CHP commended its officers for successfully managing the complex situations and dismantling the protesters' devices without causing harm.
