Boston University Bridge closed as protesters call for ceasefire in Gaza – NBC Boston

A group of dozens of protesters calling for a ceasefire in Gaza blocked traffic in Boston on Thursday morning.

The group, IfNotNow, blocked traffic on the Boston side of the Boston University Bridge. Many protesters said they had recently traveled from Chicago, where they attended a similar demonstration.

“Thursday morning, November 16 at 8:00 a.m., Boston Jews and their allies will block rush hour traffic on a major Boston thoroughfare. Activists will demand that Elizabeth Warren support an immediate ceasefire and use her influence to bring end the ongoing massacre by the Israeli government in Gaza,” the group said in a press release.

The group could be heard chanting and chanting “Ceasefire now” as they demonstrated on the bridge. Many protesters wore T-shirts with “Not in Our Name” written on the front.

“In the last month, I have witnessed unspeakable atrocities committed in my name, and I am here to say that it is not for the safety of American Jews, it is not for the safety of global Jews, and that we are calling for a ceasefire. We are saying that the violence must end,” said Emma Rose Borzekowski, one of the demonstrators.

Boston police said earlier Thursday morning that they were not aware of the incident or where it was believed to take place, but several police cars were on scene as of 8 a.m.

The demonstration comes exactly 40 days after the attacks carried out by Hamas in Israel on October 7. Thousands of people died on both sides of the conflict.

The group is expected to remain on deck for some time. Aerial footage shows a lane of traffic passing the group at 8 a.m.

But at 8:09 a.m., Boston police said the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge was closed. Motorists were advised to seek alternative routes.

Massachusetts State Police said they also had troopers on scene, as well as police from Boston and Cambridge. They said they expected significant traffic disruptions.