Pro-Palestine Rally Blocks Traffic On I-94 In Dearborn

DEARBORN, MI — Police issued one ticket Thursday after Pro-Palestine protesters blocked two lanes of traffic on Interstate 94 in Dearborn, according to Michigan State Police.

Police said there were roughly 25 cars at a standstill in the westbound lanes on the freeway near Greenfield Road at 4:50 p.m. during rush hour.

Videos posted to social media showed people waving Palestinian flags and holding signs that read, "This is an Israeli check point," and "Palestinians have to go through this everyday."

When officers arrived, police said the protesters were "extremely aggressive" toward the troopers. Troopers then called in tow trucks to take away the vehicles that were blocking the traffic.

That's when the protesters got back into their cars and drove away, police said.

Police did not confirm if the protest was related to the ongoing Israel-Hamas War, which began on Oct. 7 when Hamas members attacked Israel and killed 1,400 people. Palestinian authorities say the death toll from Israel’s response in Gaza now exceeds 10,000 people, the Associated Press reported.

"While we respect everyone’s right to protest, the freeway is not the place to stop and exit your vehicle," Michigan State Police First Lt. Mike Shaw said. "The danger created to other drivers and the pedestrians themselves is too great."