![Eastbound traffic entering the Lowry Tunnel was at a standstill when vehicles blocked the other end of the tunnel as part of a Pro-Palestinian protest Monday evening, December 11, 2023 in Minneapolis. ] JEFF WHEELER • Jeff.Wheeler@startribune.com](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/RERGO2WSHMWH757MILJZ4NG634.jpg?&w=1080&ar=3/2&fit=crop)
![As it awaited towing, a state trooper photographed one of the vehicle and trailers that had been used to block eastbound traffic on I-94 in the Lowry Hill tunnel. Pro-Palestinian protesters shut down eastbound I-94 in the Lowry Tunnel Monday evening, December 11, 2023. ] JEFF WHEELER • Jeff.Wheeler@startribune.com](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/RTTBFS4YCPOJG5M7NNKQKXT6BA.jpg?&w=1080&ar=3/2&fit=crop)
Interstate 94 closed for about an hour at the Lowry Hill tunnel in Minneapolis, after pro-Palestinian protesters blocked traffic across eastbound lanes of the busy thoroughfare during Monday's evening commute.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation asked drivers to take alternate routes for a "police incident" about 5:20 p.m. "Expect long delays," MnDOT said.
Video of the protest obtained by the Star Tribune shows at least 18 vehicles with Palestinian flags sticking out windows as they blocked all lanes of eastbound traffic and slowly entered the tunnel while honking horns.
State Patrol cars then zoom up on the right shoulder to stop the convoy as it enters the tunnel, the video shows.
Troopers arrested eight people and issued two citations "in and around" the tunnel during the incident, State Patrol Lt. Jill Frankfurth posted on X.
Arrests included five for alleged impeding traffic, one on suspicion of fleeing police in a vehicle and one for possession of a firearm without a permit. One teenager was taken to juvenile detention for alleged fleeing in a vehicle.
The citations were also for alleged impeding traffic.
Flat-bed and tow trucks were used to remove eight vehicles and three trailers from the scene after they were stopped by police inside the tunnel. Traffic had returned to normal after about an hour.
