A new anti-Israel demonstration caused chaos this Monday at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). The protest blocked traffic on one of the busiest tourist days of the year.
Within Our Lifetime, a Palestinian-led activist group, called on social media for protesters to gather at key airport access points on January 1.
The group managed to gather a group of cars and temporarily block the Belt Parkway, a vital route for vehicles traveling to the airport.
#NOW Pro-Palestine Protesters continue to block roads surrounding the JFK Airport as they attempt to get to Terminal 4 for the "Flood JFK for Gaza" Protest pic.twitter.com/q4RAYs3Rzl
— Oliya Scootercaster 🛴 (@ScooterCasterNY) January 1, 2024
Protesters aboard the vehicles waved Palestinian flags while blocking traffic and chanting inflammatory slogans. In a video posted on X, protesters are even heard comparing the NYPD, the KKK, and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
"NYPD, KKK, IDF you're all the same," protesters chanted.
#Watch: Protestors en route to the
“Flood JFK for Gaza” gathering, chanting
"NYPD, KKK, IDF, you're all the same" pic.twitter.com/oQ0JRPzHxi— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) January 1, 2024
According to a New York Post report, around 100 cars attempted to stop traffic at JFK but were blocked at Terminal 4, where an NYPD armored vehicle was deployed.
"Airport is swarming with law enforcement and organizers were removed from Terminal 4," Within Our Lifetime reported in an update.
VICTORY! Port Authority has effectively shut down all entrances to JFK for people w/o a boarding pass. Airtrain service is closed, and cars cannot get into the terminal without proof of ticket. Airport is swarming with law enforcement and organizers were removed from Terminal 4. pic.twitter.com/stWHdJt6ng
— Within Our Lifetime (@WOLPalestine) January 1, 2024
The motorcade then headed to LaGuardia Airport, intensifying congestion on Grand Central Parkway. However, they were also prevented from entering the second airport, according to Brooklyn Councilwoman Inna Vernikov.
The Hamasnicks declared victory. Victory over what? Disrupting lives of New Yorkers who are now even more annoyed? They were shut down by PAPD and prevented from entering JFK. They were blocked from entering LGA. Now they’re on their way to a non-existent @ELALUSA office. 🤣… pic.twitter.com/3VpJlQJCZA
— Councilwoman Inna Vernikov (@InnaVernikov) January 1, 2024
During the protests, public transportation was also affected, as the shuttle train at Jamaica station restricted access only to employees and people with boarding passes.
The NYPD advised travelers to anticipate delays due to planned protests. "If anyone is flying out of JFK Airport today, please plan to travel to the airport ahead of time. There are planned protests today and will cause delays. We don't want anyone to miss their flights!" it was reported via Twitter.
If anyone is flying out of JFK Airport today, please plan to travel to the airport ahead of time. There are planned protests today and will cause delays. We don't want anyone to miss their flights! Safe travels and Happy New Year.#nypdconnecting #nypdprotecting pic.twitter.com/qpErgidNCi
— Chief of Transportation (@NYPDTransport) January 1, 2024
