Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin Cheers On Police Who Removed 'Unacceptable' Pro-Palestinian Demonstrators Who Blocked Interstate

The blocking of roadways has been a favorite tactic of radical left protesters who seek to disrupt the everyday lives of normal citizens in order to raise awareness for their cause. Left-wing demonstrators have carried out this tactic on a variety of issues, including advocating for climate change policies and calling for a ceasefire in the ongoing war in Gaza. The tactic, however, has led to various skirmishes and shouting matches between motorists and those blocking the road with their bodies. But Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) wasn't going to allow these demonstrators to get away with disrupting the lives of Virginians when pro-ceasefire leftists blocked a major interstate in the commonwealth.

On Monday, Pro-Palestinian protestors attempted to block a part of I-95 at Exit 78 near Arthur Ashe Boulevard in Richmond, but their efforts were quickly foiled after state police arrested nine of the demonstrators. Despite the demonstrators taping themselves together and using ladders and a metal chain to block the roadway, specially trained police officers were able to apprehend the disruptors and clear the interstate after officers responded to the scene. "Arriving on scene, state police encountered nine individuals lying in the southbound lanes [had] linked themselves together using two ladders, a large metal chain and 'sleeping dragon' devices," the authorities explained.

"At 7:09 a.m., state police declared an Unlawful Assembly (Code of Virginia 18.2-406...§ 18.2-406. What constitutes an unlawful assembly; punishment (virginia.gov)). For the protesters' safety and to expedite the reopening of the interstate lanes, the protesters were guided to the right, southbound shoulder of the interstate. Three of the protesters voluntarily gave up almost immediately," the Virginia State Police continued in a statement. "They were taken into custody and transported off the interstate."

"Specially-trained troopers arrived at scene to safely extricate the remaining six protesters from the sleeping dragon devices, which turned out to be large PVC piping wrapped in chicken wire and connected via a large metal chain," the authorities added. "The six were then taken into custody without further incident and transported off the interstate."

"It is unacceptable to block interstates, endanger the lives of Virginians and cause mayhem on our roads," Gov. Youngkin wrote on X. "Grateful to [Virginia State Police] for their commitment to ensuring safety and quickly handling during this morning's commute." According to Fox News, those charged with obstructing free passage, unlawful assembly, being a pedestrian on the interstate, and stopping the vehicle of another include 23-year-old Zayneabideen Rasul Al-Murshidi, 24-year-old Max Hudson Gray Holland, 23-year-old Charles D. Caines

25-year-old Kemp Walker Barber, 21-year-old Connor Joris McCarty, 25-year-old Naomi Destiny Isaac, Sarah Elizabeth Milkowski Dahlgren, 25-year-old Kenrick Keith Cameron Jr., and 30-year-old Jasmine Juliet Cuellar.

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