14 arrested after Brooklyn Bridge blockade; man charged for 9/11 Memorial graffiti
Protesters blocked the bridge for an hour on Wednesday, while a 31-year-old man is facing charges for spray-painting over victims' names on Monday.
By Samuel Hayes ·
New York City experienced two separate disruptions this week involving protests and vandalism. The incidents occurred at the Brooklyn Bridge and the 9/11 Memorial site in Lower Manhattan.
On Wednesday, a group of anti-ICE protesters blocked the entrances to the Brooklyn Bridge. The group arrived at 12:30 p.m. and remained until 1:30 p.m. According to ABC7, the blockade caused traffic delays of about one hour. Drivers stuck in the gridlock were recorded pleading with the protesters. One driver said, "I just want to get to work!" Protesters used megaphones to chant slogans. They shouted, "NYPD, K-K-K, I-C-E, THEY'RE ALL THE SAME!" Another protester called for the release of Oscar Bergal, a Dominican national arrested by ICE earlier this month. Police arrested 14 people. The NYPD reported no injuries.
The mayor's office has been contacted for comment regarding the bridge blockade. City leaders have remained quiet on both issues this week.
Separately, Port Authority Police arrested Johnathan Tijerina, 31, on Monday. He is charged with vandalizing the 9/11 Memorial. A message reading "just stop killing kids" was sprayed across several engraved names. Tijerina appeared in a video recording his own actions. The video was shared by his organization, Just Stop Killing Kids. The group stated that Tijerina is demanding universal background checks and a national gun registry.
The organization noted that Tijerina was arrested for spraying red paint on the Freedom Tower. They said he is demanding that President Trump and Mayor Mamdani enforce these gun control measures. The 9/11 Memorial & Museum responded to the incident. A spokesperson said security personnel and law enforcement restored the area quickly. The spokesperson described the site as a sacred place honoring the 2,983 victims of the 2001 and 1993 attacks. The statement confirmed the impacted area was returned to its commemorative state.
The two events highlight ongoing tensions in the city regarding immigration enforcement and gun policy. No further arrests have been announced as of Tuesday evening. The Brooklyn Bridge remains open to traffic.
Source: Fox News
