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Over 100 protesters calling for ceasefire in Gaza block Seattle’s University Bridge

SEATTLE — Over 100 protesters calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza fully blocked Seattle’s University Bridge on Thursday.

Seattle Department of Transportation cameras showed the demonstrators blocking both sides of the bridge in two separate groups. They were seen holding a banner reading “The whole world is watching.”

Organizers with Jewish Voice for Peace say that politicians like Patty Murray have the power to call for a ceasefire in Gaza.

“And we are saying ‘Patty Murray, how can you pretend to be a defender of children here or around the world and let this happen in our name with our dollars?’” Michael Grant with the group said.

Grant tells KIRO 7 that different chapters of their group organized similar protests across the country Thursday evening, calling out all politicians and President Biden to take action in the matter.

“Boston, Philadelphia, San Francisco have shut down bridges demanding the same thing from both their representatives and from President Biden,” Grant said.

Others at the University Bridge protest say this won’t be the last protest we see in Western Washington or across the country.

“This is not the end. We are not going to let business go on as usual when there is a genocide happening in the name of Jewish safety and our elected officials are doing nothing,” Bennie said.

The bridge was cleared around 6:35 p.m.