Pro-Palestinian Protests Block Traffic in Belfast, Boston

Pro-Palestinian demonstrations have recently intensified in various U.S. cities, including Belfast and Boston, as activists rally against U.S. involvement in the Israel-Hamas conflict and the detainment of Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University student activist. In Belfast, protesters blocked traffic during rush hour, gathering near the Northern Ireland Office while carrying placards and flags. Meanwhile, in Boston, demonstrators temporarily shut down the Massachusetts Avenue Bridge to protest Khalil's arrest by ICE, which supporters argue undermines legal protections for residents. Khalil, a pro-Palestinian activist, has been at the forefront of campus protests against Israeli military actions and faces deportation despite being a permanent U.S. resident. The protests reflect broader concerns over U.S. foreign policy in the region and the treatment of Palestinian activists. Organizers and speakers at these events emphasize solidarity with Palestinian rights and call for an end to the violence and occupation.