Arrests of Dozens in Pro-Palestinian Protests at Major Airports in America

Protests organized by demonstrators supporting Palestinians ended in arrests and traffic disruptions on Wednesday morning around Los Angeles International Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, both of which are among the busiest airports in the United States. The Los Angeles Police Department reported that 36 people were detained after the demonstration went out of control. The police explained in a statement that "the protesters brought down a security official, using construction debris, traffic signs, tree branches, and concrete blocks to block a road” leading to the airport, while they attacked bystanders in their vehicles. The statement noted that most of those arrested were charged with participating in a riot, and at least one was arrested for assaulting a security official. Airport police stated that the entrance to the complex was reopened in approximately 45 minutes with "no impact on flights," according to the Los Angeles City News Service. The Port Authority of New York Police announced that 26 people were arrested for involvement in disorderly conduct and obstructing vehicle traffic during a protest along the Van Wyck Expressway inside John Kennedy Airport in Queens. The police indicated that the road was reopened after about 20 minutes. Local news coverage of the protests showed demonstrators holding signs with messages such as "Free Palestine" to express their opposition to Israeli military operations.