Pro-Palestinian agitators block traffic at Chicago O'Hare Airport to protest Boeing, US funding of war in Gaza

On Monday, a small group of pro-Palestinian agitators managed to shut down I-90 near Chicago O'Hare International Airport, bringing traffic to a standstill and frustrating hundreds of travelers.

Though the blockade was eventually cleared, congestion continued to cause delays.

Around 9 am local time, O'Hare notified travelers in a post on X that vehicular traffic into the airport "may be substantially delayed" due to "protest activity." Departing passengers were urged to "consider alternative modes of transportation," such as the metro.

About fifteen minutes later O'Hare fired off another post informing travelers that while the protest had been dealt with and I-90 was open, "extra travel time" may be necessary.

Footage from the scene showed the group of protestors forming a human chain across the freeway, preventing motorists from passing through. All the while, police stood idly by letting it all happen.

Eventually, disgruntled passengers began ditching their vehicles and making their way to the airport on foot.

The group behind the protest, Chicago Dissenters, explained in an Instagram post why the airport was targeted.
 

"Chicagoans are BLOCKING the ENTRANCE to O'Hare International Airport, barring flyers from accessing Terminals 1-3," they wrote. "On this Tax Day, when millions are paying taxes which fund the ongoing US and Israeli bombardment of Gaza, protestors seek to take dramatic action, alongside other [April 15 Actions] organizers worldwide."

They pointed out that the airport "is one of the largest in the country," adding, "there will be NO business as usual while Palestinians suffer at the hands of American funded bombing by Israel."

Chicago Dissenters went on to note that their goal was to "disrupt Boeing's operations," and "demand an end to the U.S. government’s arming of the Israeli regime."

There have been no reports of any arrests made in connection with the blockade.