(Observer Network News) Canada's "free motorcade" protests have just subsided, and truck drivers in many parts of the United States have been inspired by this to organize convoys to Washington, D.C., to protest against COVID-19-related restrictions.
According to Reuters, los Angeles Times and other reports, on February 23, a group of truck drivers in the United States set off from Adlanto, about 80 miles (130 kilometers) northeast of Los Angeles, planning to cross the United States from west to east to Washington, with a journey of 11 days and an estimated crossing of 2,500 miles (4,000 kilometers). In addition, another convoy also departed from Joe Biden's hometown of Scranton, Pennsylvania, on the morning of the 23rd to the Beltway that surrounds Washington, D.C.
Screenshot of the Reuters report
Screenshot of the Los Angeles Times report
The convoy from California, which named itself People's Convoy, consisted of more than 20 18-wheeled trucks and about 50 pickups and recreational vehicles.
Event organizer Maureen Steele said that a public farewell rally was held at the Adelento Stadium at 10 a.m. on the 23rd, and at the rally, organizers said the organization had raised more than $311,000 (about 1.965 million yuan) to support the trip. The day before (22nd), a small group of truck drivers had begun to gather at Adelanto Stadium, painted with a star-spangled flag and some with the words "Let's Go, Brandon." (Observer Note: Since an NBC reporter paraphrased the crowd's "F**k Joe Biden" to "Let's Go, Brandon" when interviewing race driver Brandon last October, the phrase has evolved into a new slogan for Biden's opponents. ）
The crowd and convoy at the rally, pictured by Reuters
At present, most U.S. states have relaxed many epidemic restrictions, for example, California, where convoys originate, eliminated the requirement to wear masks universally last week, and for those who have been vaccinated, they are only required to wear masks in high-risk areas such as access to bus systems, schools and health care facilities. Still, the truck drivers protested.
"It's for our freedom, our human rights. I've had enough (enough is enough)! Ron Coleman, a 61-year-old truck driver from Nevada, said before leaving.
Coleman said the team wants to push for an end to the power of U.S. politicians to introduce pandemic-related restrictions.
A protester in the People's Convoy said that "the (U.S.) government has forgotten where it is, and that vaccination requirements and mandatory mask wearing are beyond the scope of the government's purview under the U.S. Constitution.
Mike Landis, another truck driver, said: "We are at the mercy of the government, and at the moment, we live in an unconstitutional environment. Our Constitution is currently meaningless. ”
He said that although he supported the COVID-19 measures, the protest was "for the people, hence the name 'People's Motorcade'." ”
Organizers claimed that the convoy was nonpartisan, led by truck drivers and widely supported by a number of ethnic minorities and religious believers.
"The convoy is associated with freedom and unity: Truck drivers are united across party and state lines, marching together people of all colors and beliefs, [among them] Christians, Muslims, Jews, Sikhs, Mormons, agnostics, blacks, Hispanics, Asians, Indians, Republicans and Democrats," the group said in a statement. ”
A statement from the convoy showed that the "People's Convoy" was expected to arrive in the Washington area on March 5, but had no plans to enter the District of Columbia.
Brian Brase, a truck driver and one of the campaign's organizers, said that no matter where the truck stopped, "we won't go anywhere" until the group's demands are met.
Brees said he expected thousands, perhaps tens of thousands, of participants.
In addition to the "People's Convoy" from California, another convoy consisting of an 18-wheeled truck and several pickup trucks also set off from Biden's hometown of Scranton, Pennsylvania, on the morning of the 23rd to the Beltway around Washington, D.C.
Bob Bolus, the team's organizer, told Washington's WJLA television station that his team had no intention of violating the law or blocking traffic, but warned that if they did not respond to demands such as lifting restrictions on the outbreak, they might do so (referring to traffic jams).
A car in a convoy departing from Pennsylvania, pictured from pennlive.com
Washington, on the other hand, is preparing for the People's Motorcade and several other similar protests.
The Pentagon said it had approved 400 National Guard soldiers from Washington to provide assistance at a transportation post from Feb. 27 to March 7, and that they would not carry weapons.
In addition, about 50 tactical vehicles were also approved for deployment at traffic posts. In addition to the Washington area, some 300 National Guardsmen have been placed to assist at traffic posts as necessary.
U.S. House Speaker Pelosi said President Biden will deliver a State of the Union address on March 1 and that she is "confident" in Washington's security plans around this time.
Previously, in Canada, where the "Free Motorcade" protests blocked the streets of the capital Ottawa for more than 3 weeks and blocked the busiest land route between Canada and the United States for 6 days, Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau had to use emergency powers to end the protests.
At present, although the epidemic in the United States has slowed down, nearly 2,000 people still die of the new crown every day, with the cumulative number of deaths approaching 1 million and the cumulative number of confirmed cases approaching 80 million.
As of 3:21 p.m. Beijing time on February 24, the US epidemic data is screenshotted from the Hawkins University website
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