Big rigs block traffic on East Loop in apparent protest

A group of truckers block part of the North Loop near Gellhorn in a protest of some sort Monday, April 20, 2020. A group of truckers block part of the North Loop near Gellhorn in a protest of some sort Monday, April 20, 2020. Photo: Jay R. Jordan / Houston Chronicle Photo: Jay R. Jordan / Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 11 Caption Close Big rigs block traffic on East Loop in apparent protest 1 / 11 Back to Gallery

Police cited dozens of independent big-rig drivers Monday and arrested one after they blocked traffic on the East Loop to protest wages, according to Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo.

Around 75 drivers stopped on the East Loop near Gelhorn around 2 p.m. Signs were attached to their trucks, protesting a lack of payment from companies who hired them to move, Acevedo said.

"Cheap brokers," one sign said.

"No abuso precio justo," read another.

Police eventually moved the truck off the highway to a Fiesta Mart parking lot at Interstate 10 and Federal. The drivers were cited with class C misdemeanors and released from the scene. One woman was arrested and charged with inciting a riot, a class B misdemeanor. She has not been identified.

"There's a distinct difference between First-Amendment protected activity and illegal activity," Acevedo said from the scene. "I can tell you that anytime you try to involve our freeways, that is nonstarter for the Houston Police Department."