Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) slammed pro-Palestine protesters who blocked traffic in many locations in the country and called them lunatics.
During the interview on Fox News on April 16, Mr. Cotton criticized these protesters for disrupting people’s daily business.
“They have no right to block traffic, especially on major highways or city streets when other people are trying to go about their business,” Mr. Cotton said. “What the police should do is get there properly and arrest these people and throw the book at them if they’re allowed to.”
On April 15, many pro-Palestine protesters blocked major highways and bridges across the United States, causing long-hour traffic delays. Golden Gate Bridge in Francisco, Brooklyn Bridge in New York City, and Chicago O'Hare International Airport were among the locations affected by the protests.
The protests were part of a worldwide campaign organized by a pro-Palestine group called A15 Action that “coordinates to disrupt and blockade economic logistical hubs and the flow of capital ... with the aim of causing the most economic impact,” according to its website.
Due to the protests, Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge and Interstate 880 were blocked on April 15 morning during rush hours, causing massive delays across the Bay Area.
CHP then warned that attempts to block traffic using these tactics “will not be tolerated.”
The “tactics utilized by unlawful protesters” on I-880 and the Golden Gate Bridge, it added, are “unlawful and will not be tolerated.” Arrests were made by CHP officers and the highway patrol said it is “recommending charges,” according to the statement.
Hamas terrorists launched surprise attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, killing more than 1,200 Israelis, mostly civilians, and 32 Americans, as well as taking about 240 Israelis hostage, about 130 of whom remain hostage in Gaza. The attacks led to Israel’s military operations in Gaza to eliminate Hamas.
Israel is a longtime U.S. ally and receives billions of dollars in military support annually from Washington. Since the start of the war, the Biden administration has been actively engaged in diplomatic efforts to prevent the conflict from escalating into a broader crisis in the region.
