In a protest that led to the shutdown of traffic in Dewey Square near South Station on Thursday morning, Boston police officers and Massachusetts State Police troopers made multiple arrests. The demonstration was organized by Jewish protestors and allies who rallied to demand President Biden's intervention in ensuring a lasting ceasefire in Gaza and ending unconditional military aid to Israel.

The group, If Not Now, called for "disruptive civil disobedience" in the area of Summer Street and Atlantic Avenue, stating that as long as President Biden continues to support what they perceive as genocide, his administration will be unable to focus on other governing priorities or effectively communicate its message.

Video footage captured by a Boston 25 News photographer showed law enforcement officers placing several protesters in handcuffs and escorting them away from the area. Boston Police later confirmed the arrests on social media, stating that traffic had reopened. The names of those arrested and the charges they may face were not immediately disclosed.

According to IfNotNow, more than 50 of the approximately 300 protesters who participated in the demonstration were taken into custody after the protest was dismantled. The activists were seen holding large banners bearing messages such as "Biden: Lasting Ceasefire Now" and "Our Safety is Intertwined: No Money for Gaza Massacre."

The protest caused significant gridlock for an hour in one of Boston's busiest transportation hubs, impacting Atlantic Avenue, Summer Street, Federal Street, Purchase Street, the JFK Surface Road, as well as MBTA train lines and interstate bus and train routes. IfNotNow revealed that protesters distributed flyers to commuters, containing a link to an open letter explaining the reasons behind their decision to block traffic.

Dalya Lessem Elnecave, a member of IfNotNow, expressed their frustration, stating, "We are blocking traffic because we are livid. It's been five months since October 7, Israel's massacre is ongoing, and over 130 hostages are still held in Gaza. That Biden has not called for a lasting ceasefire with a hostage exchange deal to end this massacre is outrageous." Fellow member Nathan Foster emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that formal methods of communication were insufficient in addressing the ongoing crisis.

IfNotNow announced that similar protests were planned in other parts of the country, as they continue to call for an end to the conflict and the reallocation of tax dollars away from what they perceive as a genocide.