Almost a dozen people were arrested at a protest in Portland, Maine, on Friday afternoon.
The protest showing support for Palestine and calling for a ceasefire in Israel started at around 1:30 p.m., according to NBC10 Boston affiliate News Center Maine.
Portland police say protestors blocked both Exit 7 ramps for Interstate 295, impacting traffic.
According to News Center Maine, police cleared the offramp shortly before 2:30 p.m. to allow vehicles off the highway and were heard telling the protesters they would be arrested if they did not move.
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Several people who were sitting in the road and apparently refused to move were seen taken into custody by police shortly thereafter.
The 11 people arrested were charged with obstructing a public way, and they were taken to the Cumberland County Jail.
News Center Maine identified them as:
- Mark Roman, 76, of Solon
- Sophia Fuller, 77, of Belfast
- Abigail Fuller, 63, of Portland
- Jamila Fuller, 69, of Waldo
- Paige Milligan, 34, of Brunswick
- Lisa Savage, 69, of Solon
- Roryalice Hoecker, 29, of Portland
- Haley Marchant, 33, of Old Orchard Beach
- Hallie Herz, 25, of Portland
- Yusef Ebrahim, 27, of Portland
- Natalie Joyce, 25, of Waterville
Police left the area at around 3 p.m. when the road was reopened.
