Protesters Calling For Gaza Ceasefire Block Traffic In Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA — Traffic near the Philadelphia Museum of Art is snarled due to protesters calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas was blocking traffic in the area.

Traffic on the Spring Garden Street Bridge over Interstate 76 is completely shut down as of 4:45 p.m. due to the activists.

The group Jewish Voice for Peace is behind the demonstration.

Aerial footage from NBC10 shows the group occupying the bridge while holding banners. Sings can be seen over the bridge, as well.

Some messages read "Let Gaza Live" and "Ceasefire Now."

"After two months of relentless bombing by the Israeli army, the Palestinian death toll in Gaza has now surpassed 18,000 people and 1.9 million people have been displaced," the group said on social media Thursday. "Tonight we are saying to those in power: no business as usual as long as people are dying."

The group is calling on President Joe Biden, Sens. Bob Casey and John Fetterman, and Rep. Dwight Evans to sign a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire.

"The U.S. must join other countries around the world in calling for a lasting ceasefire – after all, it’s what most American voters want," the group said.

Earlier, a group of protesters blocked traffic on Interstate 76 west in the same area, but that group has since moved from the highway.

Action News reports 32 people were arrested and will be cited for being on the highway.

It's unclear when the Spring Garden Street Bridge will reopen to vehicles.