On Monday, for the second straight day, the People’s Convoy of truckers protesting the government’s wide range of COVID-19 mandates, circled Washington, D.C.
The truckers had arrived over the weekend, coming in from multiple starting points across the nation, and drove the Beltway on Sunday, as WND reported.
BizPacReview reported just the proximity of protesters to Washington triggered U.S. Capitol Police to declare an emergency, even though the truckers had yet to enter Washington as a coalition.
CNN reported that the police board “issued an emergency declaration to ensure that the U.S. Capitol police are able to operate and respond as necessary.”
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Being promoted were telework options for staff and members, as well as using public transportation to minimize traffic delays.
The report continued, “Congress will also reimburse lawmakers or any staffers ‘for short-term lodging expenses’ who have to check in to a hotel presumably because heavy vehicle volume prevents them from getting home.”
Christopher Rodriguez, Washington’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management director, said he respects everyone’s rights to be in Washington, “what we won’t tolerate are people who break our laws.”
Neither do the truckers, who had posted an online notice that anyone participating in the convoy who noticed something illegal should report it immediately, with identifying information such as license plate numbers, time and location.
The convoy had assembled at Hagerstown, Maryland, Speedway, where a rally was held.
The assembly is an American version of Canada’s Freedom Convoy, which started on the West coast and arrived in Ottawa to protest COVIC mandates. They were a trigger for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who resorted to violence against them, declaring an emergency and calling for martial law. He eventually had hundreds of drivers arrested and trucks confiscated.
In the U.S., an estimated 1,000 vehicles were part of the protest.
After a drive-around on Sunday, and another on Monday, officials said that those could continue for some days into the future.
“Convoy organizer Brian Brase has repeatedly said the People’s Convoy will not enter the district. Instead, the demonstrators, who have based themselves at the Hagerstown Speedway, plan to increase the number of trips around the Beltway each day to pressure lawmakers and public officials,” the Washington Post reported.
The sheriff in Washington County, Maryland, where truckers were assembling, said at least four convoys have arrived there.
“There have been no problems and we are just monitoring things,” an official said.
The convoy wants “elected officials to work with the blue collar and white-collar workers of America and restore accountability and liberty – by lifting all mandates and ending the state of emergency – as COVID is well-in-hand now, and Americans need to get back to work in a free and unrestricted manner.”
The Baltimore Sun said people cheered during the preparations for Monday’s trip around the Beltway, shouting “We’re with you!”
The procedure being implemented was for vehicles taking part to use their flashers while driving.
The largest “People’s Convoy” group left Adelanto, Calif., on Feb. 23 for a cross-country trip and arrived in Hagerstown on Friday night. Other groups came from other map points across the nation.
“I’m hopeful that we have successful dialogue with congressmen and women and senators that help get what we’re looking for pushed through in a timely fashion,” a spokesman said.
Estimates were that at this point, the convoy had reached a length of more than 60 miles.
Associated Press reported crowds assembled on overpasses to wave at the convoy and hold signs and American flags.
WND reported on Sunday Kris Young, who was livestreaming the event on Facebook, said, “People are tired, they are fed up” at their freedoms being chipped away.
“Our kids and our grandkids are not going to be living in the same country that many of us grew up in.”
She said on Monday: “Hey D.C., if you weren’t sure from yesterday just how BIG we are, here’s your chance to get a second look! We will hold the line! YOU WORK FOR US!”
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This article was originally published by the WND News Center.
