Protesters block Louisiana-Gibson entrance to Kirtland AFB
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A protest against the war in Gaza on Thursday closed the Kirtland Air Force Base entrance at Gibson and Louisiana.
Protesters blocked the entrance and southbound Louisiana, just across from Gibson Boulevard. It reportedly began around 7 a.m. Thursday.
Albuquerque police stood by throughout the day. The protest remained peaceful. However, around noon, police reportedly told protesters they would issue citations if they didn’t leave.
After an hour of discussion, protesters decided to leave. One organizer said she was happy they were able to exercise their First Amendment right without officers arresting anyone.
A spokesperson for Kirtland AFB issued the following statement just after the protest began:
“Kirtland Air Force Base is aware of the protest on Louisiana and Gibson. We support all citizens’ right to peacefully assemble and protest. We are currently directing base personnel away from the protest.”
Earlier this week, pro-Palestine protesters occupied the UNM Student Union Building for hours Monday night into Tuesday morning. They remained peaceful as they vouched for getting UNM officials to divest from Israel.
New Mexico State Police worked with UNM Police. They ordered people to leave early Tuesday morning. About 30 minutes after issuing that order, authorities moved in and arrested 16 people.
Similar protests at UCLA and Columbus University have sparked a wave of protests nationwide. Upward of 2,000 people have reportedly been arrested at on-campus protests in just the last two weeks.
President Joe Biden on Thursday defended the right to protest but insisted that “order must prevail.” The president added the protests haven’t prompted him to reconsider his approach to the war. While he has occasionally criticized Israel’s conduct, he has continued to supply it with weapons.