People’s Convoy starts cross-country drive from California to D.C.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• Inspired by Canadian truck protests, American truckers began a cross-country drive from California to Washington, D.C. on Wednesday.
• Just like Canada’s Freedom Convoy, the ‘People’s Convoy’ is demanding an end to the COVID-19 vaccine and mask mandates.
• The Pentagon had approved 400 National Guard troops from the District of Columbia to help at traffic posts.

A group of American truckers began a cross-country drive from California to Washington on Wednesday to protest coronavirus restrictions, taking a cue from demonstrations that paralyzed Canada’s capital city, Ottawa, for weeks.

More than two dozen 18-wheeler trucks, along with some 50 pickups and recreational vehicles, left Adelanto, California, about 80 miles (130 km) northeast of Los Angeles. The self-styled ‘People’s Convoy’ is beginning an 11-day trek to the Beltway, a major highway encircling the U.S. capital, to demand an end to COVID-19 vaccine and mask requirements.

“This is for our freedoms, our human rights. Enough is enough,” said Ron Coleman, 61, a trucker from Reno, Nevada.

Preparations are being made in Washington for the expected arrival of the convoy and other similar protests in the coming days. The Pentagon said it had approved 400 National Guard troops from the District of Columbia, who would not carry weapons, to help at traffic posts from Saturday through March 7.

About 50 tactical vehicles were also approved to be placed at traffic posts. In addition, up to 300 National Guard troops from outside of Washington will assist at traffic posts if needed.

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she was “confident” in the security plans to protect Washington around the time of President Joe Biden’s State of the Union speech on March 1.

The People’s Convoy is expected to arrive in the Washington area on March 5 but there are no plans to go into the District of Columbia proper, according to a statement.

The truckers are making their demands even as most U.S. states have already eased many restrictions. In California, where the convoy begins, the state lifted universal mask requirements last week while requiring masks for vaccinated people only in high-risk areas such as public transit, schools and healthcare settings.

People’s Convoy organizers claim they do not intend to disrupt roads or bridges, like the Canadian protest did. However, some semi-truck drivers are already calling for widespread blockades.

The organizers also claim the convoy is ‘about freedom and unity,’ noting the truckers are ‘riding unified across party and state lines and with people of all colors and creeds.’

Source: Reuters