Protesters Block Freeway Near Gilroy

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA — Both directions of U.S. Highway 101 in Morgan Hill were blocked Saturday evening by a group of peaceful protesters.

JUST IN: According to a tweet from the Morgan Hill Police Department, a peaceful protest has moved onto Highway 101, causing a closure of both lanes. Authorities ask that drivers use alternate routes.https://t.co/cN6MHDEyNj
— NBC Bay Area (@nbcbayarea) August 9, 2020

The protesters were advocating for the removal of the South Bay city’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office and ultimately, the abolition of the agency, NBC Bay Area reports.

The protest started at the city's ICE office and eventually spilled onto the South Bay freeway, the report said.

Morgan Hill is a town of 40k people. Small town protests are everything. https://t.co/gTi1vv4qcT
— Euro Trash Barbie (@msdictator) August 9, 2020

The California Highway Patrol said the northbound and southbound lanes of Highway 101 were shut down for a time at the Tennant Avenue freeway interchange.

The protesters were walking along Tennant Avenue when, at about 8 p.m., they walked onto the freeway.

Protesters are gathering at the ICE office on Vineyard Court. They are about to march to downrown #MorganHill in protest of the federal immigration office. pic.twitter.com/Rcku461X1Q
— Morgan Hill Times (@morganhilltimes) August 8, 2020

Southbound Highway 101 became congested at Cochrane Road, and northbound traffic backed up between San Martin Avenue and Tennant Avenue.

Northbound motorists were directed to exit Highway 101 at San Martin Avenue in San Martin and proceed to northbound Monterey Road, then return to the freeway at East Dunne Avenue in Morgan Hill.

Southbound motorists were directed to exit at Cochrane Road and proceed to southbound Monterey Road, returning to the freeway at San Martin Avenue.

— Bay City News contributed to this report