Passengers sue after missing flights due to pro-Palestinian airport blockades

The suit, filed by the Hamilton Lincoln Law Institute, targets the organizers of the April 15 blockade that obstructed traffic for three hours. The plaintiff missed his flight, lost a day, and failed to attend a work event at his destination. He is suing on behalf of other passengers held in their cars or displaced by the blockade who suffered consequences from missed travel. They seek both damages and an injunction against future blockades.

Named defendants include The Tides Center, National Students for Justice in Palestine, American Muslims for Palestine, the WESPAC Foundation, and the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights among others who provided funds or organizing assistance to the “A15 Action” blockade.

A15 Action was described as a premeditated plot “to identify and blockade major choke points in the economy… with the aim of causing the most economic impact.” A15 Action disrupted sites across the United States including Golden Gate Bridge, Brooklyn Bridge, and Seattle-Tacoma Airport.

These actions were reportedly part of a broader strategy promoted by Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. The Biden administration’s Director of National Intelligence has warned that “Iranian government actors have sought to opportunistically take advantage of ongoing protests regarding the war in Gaza.”

The damages were significant. More valuable than monetary compensation is an injunction preventing these groups from repeating such actions. However, perhaps most interesting would be depositions.