Protesting truckers at the Coutts border in southern Alberta say they will open one lane on the highway as a show of good faith..The breakthrough came about 1:30 p.m. as truckers in the blockade started up their rigs to move them..The deal came after a meeting between the truckers, their lawyers and RCMP..“This afternoon, in response to concerned citizens in the area of Coutts, the participants in the blockade made the decision to open a lane going northbound and southbound on Highway 4 near the Coutts border,” The RCMP said ina statement..“This allows for area residents to have freedom of movement, school bussing that was impacted to be reinstated, emergency services to provide full services, border access and the flow of goods and services to resume..“The Alberta RCMP acknowledges the work that is being done..Since the onset of the blockade, the Alberta RCMP has been actively engaging with participants of the blockade to re-open lanes of traffic.”.Truckers blocking access to the crossing at Coutts, Alta. said they’ve spoken with RCMP and agreed to open a lane of the highway in each direction..Trucks and other vehicles have begun clearing paths..“The truckers finally feel like their message has been heard,” Chad Williamson, a lawyer representing truckers, told CBC..“In a tremendous show of good faith, they are reopening one lane each way to provide unimpeded access through the town of Coutts and across the border in both ways..“That doesn’t mean the protest is over, but it signals what we hope to be ongoing cordial efforts to address the concerns of the people who have been involved in the movement down here in Coutts.”.On Saturday, RCMP said 10,000 truckers started a rolling convoy that eventually blocked the border..Alberta Premier Jason Kenney said on Tuesday there were about 100 truckers left in the convoy. He said members of the RCMP were assaulted by the protesters and a police car was rammed. The RCMP later denied those allegations.. Screen-Shot-2022-02-02-at-2.32.46-PMThe RV’s are packing up and moving to open a lane to traffic in Coutts. Photo by James Finkbeiner, Western Standard .The truckers are protesting vaccine mandates..….more to come
