MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WREG) — Demonstrators for a pro-Palestinian protest marched across the Memphis-Arkansas Interstate 40 bridge Saturday, causing lanes to completely close.
Protestors gathered at City Hall on Saturday, Feb. 3 before eventually making their way to the I-40 bridge.
Just after 3 p.m., demonstrators could be seen on the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) cameras marching across the I-40 bridge while traffic was backed up behind them.
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Protestors covered all lanes of traffic going in both directions, linking arms and demanding a response from local leaders like U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.), whose district includes most of Memphis.
“Until Steve Cohen cosponsors for a ceasefire,” protestor Jana Abuirshaid said. “Until this genocide stops. Until our tax money is no longer funding what is going on in Palestine.”
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I-40 bridge
Around 4:30 p.m., the side of the bridge heading toward Arkansas reopened as protestors moved to one side of the bridge to let cars through. As of 5 p.m., all lanes of traffic were open, and the bridge was cleared.