Protests erupt in dozens of cities, shutting down interstates all across the country
For the past two nights, interstates and bridges across the country were shut down by thousands of protesters demanding justice in the wake of the high-profile Breonna Taylor decision.
Nationwide protests were spurred by a Kentucky grand jury’s decision not to directly charge police officers in the shooting death of Breonna Taylor in Louisville.
Here’s a look at how protesters shut down interstates all across the U.S.
St. Louis, Missouri
On Thursday night, around 200 protesters closed down westbound I-64 in the downtown St. Louis area around 7:30 p.m. and held up candles and cellphones in a moment of silence for Taylor. The protesters moved off the interstate around 8 p.m.
St. Paul, Minnesota
On Wednesday night, around 400 protesters marched onto eastbound I-94, closing down a portion of the interstate for about half an hour before dispersing onto other roadways.
Marchers shut down I-94 through St. Paul to protest Breonna Taylor decision https://t.co/sGBSQEJY7m pic.twitter.com/q4ZMqPlT8s
— Pioneer Press (@PioneerPress) September 24, 2020
Bay Area, California
During the evening rush hour, protesters demonstrated on the three Bay Area bridges — the Golden Gate Bridge, the Bay Bridge, and the Dumbarton Bridge. Many of the protesters were in cars deliberately driving slowly to try to create gridlock.
Protesters took to Instagram to encourage people to create gridlock on three major Bay Area bridges Thursday, starting at 5 p.m.:
– Golden Gate Bridge
– Bay Bridge
– Dumbarton Bridgehttps://t.co/zhgBTc1uXC— San Francisco Chronicle (@sfchronicle) September 24, 2020
Providence, Rhode Island
Around 9 p.m. on Wednesday night, several dozen protesters blocked traffic on the I-95 on-ramp before they were dispersed by state troopers.
Protesters block traffic, I-95 on-ramp in Providence after decision in Breonna Taylor case | https://t.co/uGdEkf9DzU https://t.co/VAg7FRAS8L
— WPFR 45 Providence (@WPFR_45) September 24, 2020
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
On Thursday night, about 100 people marched on southbound I-95, briefly shutting down the interstate before police moved them off of the roadway.
Protesters marching for justice for Breonna Taylor shut down I-95 in Philadelphia last night. Police were able to force them off the highway. https://t.co/6KV9FhUtND pic.twitter.com/sbe4hoSTj3
— Matt O’Donnell (@matt_odonnell) September 25, 2020
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
On Wednesday night, a group of protesters marched on I-94 and briefly closed the interstate before they were dispersed with tear gas onto other roadways.
BREAKING: Police officers deploy teargas to disperse crowds blocking highway I-94 in #Milwaukee, Wisconsin pic.twitter.com/mCX518b65j
— SV News 🚨 (@SVNewsAlerts) September 24, 2020
Monona, Wisconsin
Protesters were able to shut down Highway 12/18 for about 3 hours on Thursday night.
East bound Beltline past John Nolan is blocked by a group of protestors. 20-25 cars, with just about everyone outside. There’s a bonfire set up and I saw a group of people with a grill set up. Police are rerouting people from the area. #News3Now @WISCTV_News3 pic.twitter.com/zh2L0YFfw8
— Adam Duxter (@News3Adam) September 25, 2020
Protests took place in multiple other U.S. cites on Wednesday and Thursday night. More protests activities are planned for this weekend.