Virginia’s governor has responded to a bunch of pro-Palestinian protesters who blocked a phase of an interstate on Monday in protest of Israel’s continued battle in opposition to the Hamas terror group in Gaza.
“It is unacceptable to block interstates, endanger the lives of Virginians and cause mayhem on our roads,” Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin mentioned in a submit on X, including that he was grateful to Virginia State Police “for their commitment to ensuring safety and quickly handling during this morning’s commute.”
The Republican governor’s feedback got here after Virginia State Police arrested 9 protesters earlier within the day close to Exit 78 close to Arthur Ashe Boulevard in Richmond. The protesters had taped themselves collectively and positioned themselves throughout Interstate 95, fully blocking the roadway.
Virginia State Police mentioned the protesters used ladders, a big steel chain and “sleeping dragon” gadgets. Pictures taken on the scene additionally confirmed the protesters carrying sweaters that learn, “STOP GENOCIDE.”
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Virginia State Police arrested 9 pro-Palestinian protesters close to Exit 78 by Arthur Ashe Boulevard in Richmond on Monday. (Virginia State Police)
In an announcement on-line, Virginia State Police mentioned they began receiving calls from a number of motorists reporting the blocked highway at roughly 6:54 a.m.
“Arriving on scene, state police encountered nine individuals lying in the southbound lanes [had] linked themselves together using two ladders, a large metal chain and ‘sleeping dragon’ devices,” police mentioned.
Authorities mentioned the protesters linked themselves collectively utilizing two ladders, a big steel chain and “sleeping dragon” gadgets. (Virginia State Police)
“At 7:09 a.m., state police declared an Unlawful Assembly (Code of Virginia 18.2-406…§ 18.2-406. What constitutes an unlawful assembly; punishment (virginia.gov)). 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 gave up almost immediately. They were taken into custody and transported off the interstate,” the assertion continued.
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About 10 minutes later, the southbound lanes had been reopened to site visitors, the company mentioned.
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin known as the pro-Palestinian protest that disrupted site visitors on the interstate “unacceptable.” (Julia Nikhinson/For The Washington Submit by way of Getty Photographs)
Further officers assisted within the arrest and 6 extra protesters had been taken into custody.
“Specially-trained troopers arrived at scene to safely extricate the remaining six protesters from the sleeping dragon devices, which turned out to be large PVC piping wrapped in chicken wire and connected via a large metal chain. The six were then taken into custody without further incident and transported off the interstate,” VSP mentioned.
The Israel-Hamas battle has resulted in tens of 1000’s of deaths on each side, with most being Palestinian civilians. (Chris McGrath/Getty Photographs)
In line with the assertion, the scene was cleared by roughly 10:30 a.m.
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The Metropolis of Richmond Police, Metropolis of Richmond Hearth and the Virginia Division of Transportation (VDOT) all assisted within the arrests or in relaying scene security, site visitors management and site visitors advisories to residents.
The next protesters had been charged with stopping the automobile of one other, obstructing free passage of others, illegal meeting and being a pedestrian on the interstate:
- Zayneabideen Rasul Al-Murshidi, 23, of Roanoke
- Max Hudson Grey Holland, 24, of Henrico
- Charles D. Caines, 23, of Spherical Hill
- Kemp Walker Barber, 25, of Richmond
- Connor Joris McCarty, 21, of Norfolk
- Naomi Future Isaac, 25, of Richmond
- Sarah Elizabeth Milkowski Dahlgren, of Henrico
- Kenrick Keith Cameron Jr., 25, of Richmond
- Jasmine Juliet Cuellar, 30, of Richmond
There have been no accidents reported by the protesters or the legislation enforcement officers, police mentioned.
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Israel continues to be at war with Hamas because the terror group carried out its Oct. 7 shock assault, the deadliest assault on Israeli soil in its historical past as a rustic. The battle has resulted in tens of 1000’s of deaths on each side, with a lot of the casualties being Palestinian civilians.
The civilian demise toll has prompted protests around the globe.
