Pro-Palestinian protest blocks traffic near B.C. port
Drivers travelling through Delta, B.C., Monday were warned to expect major delays on some roads as pro-Palestinian protesters blocked traffic near the port.
A social media post from DriveBC shared shortly before 8:30 a.m. said traffic was blocked in both directions along Deltaport Way, near 41B Street, "due to pedestrians on the roadway."
"Truck traffic should expect major delays," the post said.
While the Transportation Ministry didn't share additional details about why pedestrians were on the road, posts on social media said the group had blocked traffic to call for "a full, immediate two-way arms embargo on Israel."
"Stop arming genocide," Atiya Jaffar wrote on X, sharing a picture of dozens of protesters blocking the road.
A pro-Palestinian group planned a co-ordinated effort across many cities around the world Monday to "identify and blockade major choke points in the economy."
"We must recognize that the global economy is complicit in genocide and together we will co-ordinate to disrupt and blockade economic logistical hubs and the flow of capital," a statement from the group, A15 Economic Blockade, says.
Delta police told CTV News Vancouver they're aware of the demonstration and are "liaising with the protest group."
"Our officers will remain on scene with the primary goal of ensuring public safety, to preserve life and property, as well as to preserve the peace," Acting Insp. James Sandberg said in an emailed statement. "Our officers are also working with the protesters to restore use of the roadway as soon as possible."
Global Container Terminals, which operates Deltaport, told CTV News Vancouver the protests are "severely impacting (their) operations."
"Illegal protesters' actions are causing an unsafe situation on the Roberts Bank causeway for the truckers that are being held there," the statement said. "We call on the law enforcement agencies to act quickly so we can return to safe and normal operations at Canada’s largest container terminal."
Just after 12 p.m., DriveBC wrote that the roadway was “fully clear” in both directions.
Israel declared war in response to Hamas's unprecedented cross-border attack on Oct. 7, in which the Islamic militant group killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took 250 others hostage. It was the deadliest attack in Israel's history and the deadliest for Jews since the Holocaust.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has condemned Israel's response in recent weeks, demanding a full investigation into an Israeli airstrike that killed seven aid workers, including a Canadian-U.S. citizen, who were delivering food to Gaza.
More than one million Palestinians in Gaza have been displaced, and aid agencies warn the situation is dire, with access to food and medicine extremely limited.
With files from CTV News Ottawa's William Eltherington and The Associated Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Freeland previews omnibus budget bill, proposed capital gains tax change left out
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland will be tabling yet another omnibus bill to pass a sweeping range of measures promised in her April 16 federal budget, though left out of the legislation is the government's proposed capital gains tax change.
Man dies after suffering cardiac arrest while waiting in ER, widow wants investigation
When an ambulance took David Lippert to the hospital in March of 2023, the 68-year-old Kitchener, Ont., executive was hoping to find out why he was feeling weak and unable to walk. Some 24 hours later, he was found unresponsive in the ER.
BREAKING Baby, grandparents among 4 people killed in wrong-way police chase on Ontario's Hwy. 401
A police chase which started with a liquor store robbery in Bowmanville Monday night ended in tragedy some 20 minutes later when a suspect fleeing police entered Highway 401 in the wrong direction and caused a pileup which killed an infant and the child's grandparents, as well as the suspect, investigators say.
Air Canada walks back new seat selection policy change after backlash
Air Canada has paused a new seat selection fee for travellers booked on the lowest fares just days after implementing it.
McGill requests 'police assistance' over pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University says it has 'requested police assistance' about the pro-Palestinian encampment on its lower field.
Judge raises threat of jail in hush money trial as he holds Trump in contempt, fines him US$9,000
Donald Trump was held in contempt of court Tuesday and fined US$9,000 for repeatedly violating a gag order that barred him from making public statements about witnesses, jurors and some others connected to his New York hush money case. And if he does it again, the judge warned, he could be jailed.
Court upholds Milwaukee police officer's firing for posting racist memes after Sterling Brown arrest
The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that a former Milwaukee police officer was properly fired for posting racist memes related to the arrest of an NBA player that triggered a public outcry.
Video captures deadly wrong-way police chase on Highway 401 in Ontario
A new video has surfaced showing a vehicle being pursued by police in the wrong direction on Highway 401 moments prior to a fatal crash that killed four people, including an infant and their grandparents.
New cancer treatment approved, but not everyone thinks it's what's best for patients
A new cancer treatment recently approved in Canada promises to cut treatment time down to just minutes, but experts have differing opinions on whether it's what's best for patients.