Traffic Chaos: Tunnel Protest Shuts Down I-94 in Minneapolis

Minneapolis, MN (KROC-AM News)- The Minnesota State Patrol arrested eight people and cited two others following a pro-Palestine demonstration that backed up a section of I-94 in Minneapolis. 

A spokesman says the incident began around 4:30 p.m. Monday with reports of groups gathering on a pedestrian bridge near the Lowry Hill Tunnel and affixing signs to state property. 

When troopers responded to the incident, they learned multiple vehicles were blocking eastbound I-94 traffic in the tunnel below. Responding troopers encountered several vehicles that officials say were impeding the response. 

The troopers eventually got into the tunnel and towed eight vehicles and three trailers from the scene. No injuries or use of force was reported at the scene. 

Seven of the eight people arrested are described as adults. Five men were apprehended on suspicion of obstructing legal process/impeding traffic, one man was arrested on suspicion of fleeing in a motor vehicle, a woman was taken into custody on suspicion of possessing a firearm without a permit and a juvenile boy suspected of fleeing in a motor vehicle was also arrested. 

The troopers also cited a juvenile male and adult man for impeding traffic. Videos from the scene show the vehicles involved in the back-up during the afternoon rush hour were decorated with Palestinian flags. 

The State Patrol said in a statement on the agency’s Facebook page:

We support the right to exercise one’s First Amendment rights, but the freeway is not the place to do so. The closure of an interstate freeway for the purposes of a demonstration is unacceptable. Freeways are used by everyone and are an artery for emergency vehicles. It is illegal to walk on the freeway and blocking traffic is dangerous for everyone involved or impacted.

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