WASHINGTON: New York City police arrested dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters on Monday for blocking traffic at the entrances to the Holland Tunnel and three East River bridges during the Monday morning commute.

Approximately 120 protesters were arrested while blocking entrances to the Holland Tunnel, which links downtown Manhattan with New Jersey. Protests also erupte d at the Brooklyn Bridge, Williamsburg Bridge, and Manhattan Bridge, connecting Manhattan and Brooklyn.

The Holland Tunnel and the three bridges have since reopened. Highways were also blocked in Los Angeles, Seattle, and Chicago. Pressure is intensifying within the United States to demand an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, where an unprecedented Israeli military offensive has already claimed more than 23,000 Palestinian lives.

Reports from across the United States illustrate how various political, social, and human rights groups, along with student bodies, are collaborating to bolster the growing momentum for a ceasefire.

Mass protests The `March on Washington for Gaza,` scheduled for Jan 13, organised by the American Muslim Task Force for Palestine, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), and others, is expected to draw a large crowd.

Similar rallies and protests in Atlanta, Georgia, Los Angeles, California, Minnesota, and Seattle, Washington, signal a groundswell of pro-Palestinian sentiment demanding an end to hostilities.

Congressional involvement Noteworthy is the increasing number of Congress members (currently 63) calling for a ceasefire, with Representative Cori Bush introducing a resolution (H.Res. 786) for an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian aid to Gaza.

The call to `Stop Arming Israel` is gaining traction among activists, urging citizens to engage with their representatives. Thousands are writing to their senators to support the move for a ceasefire.

Minneapolis resolution A significant development is the introduction of a resolution in the Minneapolis City Council, calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and urging the federal government to withdraw support for Israeli military operations.

A solid majority of the Minneapolis City Council supports this initiative, underscoring a desire for action at various levels of government. Also this weekend, protests disrupted the first day of California`s legislative session, showcasing the depth of public sentiment, compelling political leaders to address the issue promptly.

Interfaith support Speakers from diverse backgrounds, including Rabbi Jessica Rosenberg and leaders from Islamic, Jewish, and other groups, express solidarity in their callfor a ceasefire. This coalition emphasises the humanitarian nature of the issue, transcending religious and cultural boundaries.

Cornel West, an American philosopher, and political activist joined the callfor the January 13 protests in Washington DC, advocating for a permanent ceasefire.

West highlighted the atrocities Gazans were enduring, saying, `We`re marching for our Palestinian brothers and sisters, and siblings in Gaza, undergoing a vicious genocidal assault, ugly ethnic cleansing, and living under apartheid-like conditions.