Demonstrators Block BU Bridge, Demand Calls For Gaza Ceasefire

BOSTON, MA — Over 100 people gathered to block rush-hour traffic on the Boston University Bridge for over two hours Thursday morning, demanding that Sen. Elizabeth Warren call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages as the Israel-Hamas war rages on.

The protest—organized by IfNotNow, which describes itself as "a movement of American Jews organizing our community to end U.S. support for Israel's apartheid system and demand equality, justice, and a thriving future for all Palestinians and Israelis"—began at 8 a.m. and soon closed down the Boston University Bridge.

As of 10:34 a.m., the protesters had left, the bridge was reopened, and traffic returned to normal, according to local, university, and state police, which had been posted at the scene.

Photos and videos shared across social media show demonstrators holding a large black banner that spans the width of the bridge and reads in white letters "JEWS SAY: CEASEFIRE NOW." A smaller sign, being held by four people sitting just in front of the larger banner, reads: "WARREN: CEASEFIRE NOW."

Throughout the morning, protesters sang Jewish songs with words translating to "nation shall not lift up sword against nation nor shall they learn war anymore" and "the whole world is a very narrow bridge and the main thing is not to fear at all," and recited prayers, IfNotNow said in a news release following the demonstration.

Protestors also unfurled a large scroll listing the names of the nearly 1000 children under age five who have been killed in Gaza, according to the organization.

"Even though 80% of Democratic voters support a ceasefire, Elizabeth Warren still has not called for a ceasefire to stop Israel's massacre, invasion, and siege in Gaza," IfNotNow wrote in a news release Wednesday announcing the demonstration. "With this action, Boston Jews will join a nationwide movement of other Jews supporting a ceasefire from Oakland, CA to Chicago, IL to New York, NY to rabbis in Washington, D.C."

Protesters published an open letter describing their motivations for the demonstration on the bridge, writing: "We wish there was a way we could stop this war by going directly to the politicians who have the power to intervene. But we’ve tried that–we’ve tried everything."

Tensions have been high across the country and the world since Oct. 7, when Hamas forces attacked Israel, slaughtered civilians, and took 239 hostages.

The ensuing Israel-Hamas war has seen more than 1,400 Israeli deaths, mostly on Oct. 7 itself. More than 10,000 Palestinians have been killed.