Pro-Palestinian demonstrators block traffic in New York

Protesters slowed or halted traffic for hours at the Holland Tunnel and across three of New York City's major bridges.

Protesters calling for a cease-fire in Gaza blockaded major traffic routes in New York City Monday.

Demonstrators stopped traffic on the Brooklyn, Manhattan and Williamsburg Bridges and in the Holland Tunnel at roughly the same time on Monday morning.

Demonstrators linked themselves with zip-ties and in some cases cement-filled tires. At at least one bridge, protesters used chains and pipes to build barricades that police later cut through with saws.

Mon Mohapatra, who protested at the Brooklyn Bridge, told The New York Times the protests were meant to mirror conditions in Gaza, where evacuees have died even after following evacuation orders.

"We are trying to show how it feels to be trapped in a city you can’t leave," Mohapatra said.