Jay Bergen was one of those take into custody.
“Right now, our politicians think that they can get away with continuing to fund and support genocide,”said Bergen. “We, as people of faith and people of conscience, need to be speaking out and saying business as usual cannot continue.”
The Schuylkill Expressway and the Spring Garden Street Bridge have since reopened to traffic.
“I’ve been on 76 myself. I understand it could be a challenge. I also think our life needs to be disrupted, said Rabbi Linda Holtzman. “I hope the people on 76 can understand that demanding a ceasefire, that calling attention in every way that we can to the horrific situation in Gaza makes being stuck in traffic not that important.”
Later in the evening, the group of protesters briefly walked to the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps before dispersing.
Organizers say these demonstrations will continue with no end in sight.
“As a Jewish student, I stand with my broader community and we will do whatever it takes, as long as it takes,” said Hilah Cohen, an Israeli-American student.
The protest coincided with the last night of Hannukah. Philadelphia was one of the eight cities to participate in this nationwide protest Thursday.
“Jewish students, like me, are coming together with our broader communities to call out for an immediate ceasefire and shed light on ceasefire during Hanukkah,” Cohen added.
Earlier this year, a similar protest was held at 30th Street Station. In that demonstration, more than 60 protesters were arrested for blocking entrances to trains.