Editor’s Note: This is a developing situation. 8News is waiting to hear back from individuals claiming they are affiliated with the protestors and will provide updates as soon as possible.
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Nine people of ages ranging from 21 to 30 years old have been taken into custody after halting the flow of traffic on Interstate 95 South near Arthur Ashe Boulevard.
Their protest began just before 7 a.m. on Monday, March 11, with the group wearing shirts reading “Stop Genocide” and surrounding themselves in the colors of the Palestinian flag.
Using a protesting maneuver called the “Sleeping Dragon,” the group attached themselves to a ladder and used pipes filled with chicken wire to chain themselves to one another and the road. All southbound lanes were closed and it took about an hour for authorities to clear the roadway.
8News, who had crews at the scene all morning, spoke with Corinne Geller of Virginia State Police about the protest.
“It’s amazing that no one was injured,” Geller said.
Drivers on the interstate could have posed serious danger to the protestors, according to Geller.
“You’re dealing with 65 to 70 miles per hour vehicles,” she said. “It was dark when they came out onto the interstate, they put their lives at risk as well as the motorists. It’s just a very dangerous situation to put yourselves in.”
This incident prompted a bigger-picture discussion about the thin line between exercising one’s First Amendment right to protest and infringing upon others’ rights. 8News Legal Analyst Russ Stone weighed in on the legal perspective of cases like this — which can be a bit complicated.
“If you’re on the interstate, blocking it — you’re exercising your constitutional right and you are violating other people’s rights [at the same time],” Stone said.
The detained individuals have since been charged with stopping the vehicle of another, obstructing free passage of others, unlawful assembly and being a pedestrian on the interstate.
Shortly after the arrests, a small group in support of the protesters arrived. They held up a “Free Palestine” sign, but hid their faces. 8News asked if they’d be willing to comment and they declined.
This issue has many in the community divided. Some at the scene cheered out in support of the protesters, with visible pride in those wearing “Free Palestine” and “Stop Genocide” clothing and signs.
When it comes to what consequences those arrested might face, a judge will look at the level of disruption caused and factors, such as whether the assembly put other people at risk.
“It could slow down emergency vehicles, rescue squads, fire, police — things like that,” Stone said. “Not even mentioning the huge inconvenience for people trying to get to work that morning.”
As these charges are misdemeanors, Stone said it’s unlikely they would come with jail time.
8News reached out to individuals claiming to represent the protesting group to hear more about the message they aimed to share, but has not heard back yet as of the time of reporting. Additionally, crews at the scene asked multiple supporters for comment and all declined.
Police continue to investigate. 8News will provide updates as soon as they become available.
