NYC Bridge Blocked and 9/11 Memorial Vandalized in Separate Protests
Fourteen people arrested after blocking Brooklyn Bridge traffic; 31-year-old charged for spray-painting memorial names.
By Madison Darwish ·
The Brooklyn Bridge was blocked on Wednesday, and a man was arrested for vandalism at the 9/11 Memorial this week. Both incidents occurred in New York City while city leaders remained quiet on the issues.
A group of protesters identified as anti-ICE blocked the bridge entrances at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday. They caused bumper-to-bumper traffic that lasted until 1:30 p.m., according to ABC7. Drivers were seen pleading with the group to let them pass. One commuter was heard saying, "I just want to get to work!" Protesters used megaphones to chant slogans against the NYPD and ICE. One person shouted, "Free Oscar Bergal!" The name refers to a Dominican national arrested by ICE in Marble Hill, Manhattan, earlier this month.
The NYPD confirmed 14 people were arrested during the bridge blockade. There were no reported injuries. Fox News Digital reached out to the mayor's office for comment on the disruption.
Earlier in the week, Johnathan Tijerina, 31, was arrested for allegedly spray-painting the 9/11 Memorial. Port Authority Police confirmed the arrest. On Monday, red paint with the message "just stop killing kids" was found across several engraved names on the memorial. Tijerina was seen in a self-recorded video performing the act. His organization, Just Stop Killing Kids, shared the footage.
The organization stated Tijerina was demanding universal background checks and a national gun registry. They said he was demanding that President Trump and Mayor Mamdani enforce these measures. The group noted that Tijerina was arrested on October 26, 2026. A spokesperson for the 9/11 Memorial & Museum said security and law enforcement responded quickly to the incident. The affected area was restored immediately.
The spokesperson described the site as a place of reflection honoring 2,983 victims killed in the 2001 and 1993 attacks. Security staff addressed the vandalism swiftly, according to the statement. The memorial was returned to its commemorative state after the paint was removed.
Source: Fox News
