For more than three hours on Sunday, organizers with Jewish Voice For Peace estimate more than 1,500 protesters blocked traffic on the Manhattan Bridge, as they lent their voices and their support in calling for a permanent cease fire in Gaza.

“We felt we had made our point,” said Elena Stein, director of organizing strategy for Jewish Voice For Peace, “which is that all around the world, the entire world is saying let the people of Gaza live.”

What You Need To Know

  • Traffic was shut down for more than three hours Sunday on the Manhattan Bridge, on one of the busiest travel days of the year, with people returning from the Thanksgiving holiday

  • Jewish Voice For Peace estimates 1,500 protesters were part of their effort to block traffic

  • Protesters called for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza

The protesters disrupted traffic on what is typically one of the busiest travel days of the year, as people returned home Sunday on the final day of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

Organizers said making sure that business did not go about as usual, in light of the situation in Gaza, was part of their goal.

“We are here to say no business as usual in the train stations, in the businesses, in the hall of Congress until the U.S. demands a full cease fire now,” said Stein.

The protest also coincided with the third day of the four-day cease fire in Gaza.

In the meantime, police said multiple people were taken into custody in relation to the protest.

It is not clear if any charges have been filed.