Police say dozens arrested after protests on Philadelphia interstate

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Dozens of people were arrested during a protest that briefly blocked traffic on Philadelphia interstates over the weekend, authorities said.

Philadelphia officers were called to the westbound lanes of I-676 shortly before 4 p.m. Saturday, where officers said about 350 members of the “Party for Socialism and Liberation” were on the highway, city police said. Had arrived, due to which the traffic was disrupted.

Police said at some point about 320 protesters left and began marching through Center City, but some decided to remain on the highway. State police said traffic was temporarily diverted both east and west.

State police reported arresting 67 people and said they were taken to the police barracks where they were processed and released with summonses to appear on disorderly conduct charges. City police reported arresting and citing at least two people.

The protest group called for support, saying on social media that “peaceful protesters” were “brutally arrested while marching for Palestinian liberation.”

“No amount of police repression will shake our solidarity with the Palestinian people!” the group wrote.

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