The first in a series of truck convoys, modelled after the Freedom Convoy in Canada and headed to the Washington D.C. area, arrived in the U.S. capital Feb. 23, but very few people noticed..The convoy, arriving from Scranton Pennsylvania, consisted of only one 18-wheeler and eight other vehicles: five pick-up trucks, an SUV and a sedan..That is expected to change dramatically next week when two large convoys from the west are scheduled to arrive..Bob Bolus, the owner of a trucking company and convoy organizer, originally predicted between 25 and 30 big rigs in the Scranton convoy, but was unperturbed by the low turnout..“We’ve got a few cars … we’ve got people who see what we’re doing on social media and everyone else. It’s like having 10,000 people anyway,” Bolus told Reuters.“We’re fighting for our rights,” he said in an interview with WUSA 9TV last week. “We expect a thousand or two thousand trucks to be converging on D.C.”.Approximately a dozen convoys are expected to eventually arrive in the capital region, with the largest coming from California and Washington State. .Both have attracted many more big trucks than arrived from Scranton..The People’s Convoy left Adelanto, CA on Feb. 23 with a targeted arrival date of March 5. Convoy organizers said there will be eight stops in cities along its route, Interstate 40, where they expect more trucks to join them.. fCourtesy People’s Convoy .“It’s time for 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,” organizers said in a press release..The American Truckers Freedom Convoy, from Washington State, is scheduled to arrive in the D.C. area by March 6. Plans are for stops in 16 cities, where they also expect to add to their numbers..Two other convoys are scheduled to leave Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio, arriving on March 6..Unlike Canada’s Freedom Convoy, which parked in downtown Ottawa, the American convoys will not drive into downtown Washington, said People’s Convoy organizers..“The People’s Convoy will abide by agreements with local authorities, and terminate in the vicinity of the DC area, but will not be going into DC proper,” they said in a press release..The intent is to flood the Capital Beltway (Interstate 495), which circles the Washington region but does not go through the city. I-495 is a major transportation corridor, already known for big traffic jams..Even without plans to enter the city proper, officials are prepared for all eventualities..“The District of Columbia and its public safety agencies are aware of and prepared for potential demonstrations that may take place in the National Capital Region in the weeks ahead. Mayor Bowser is being briefed by public safety officials as we continue to monitor the situation closely. Layered mitigation measures are being put in place, including some that will be visible to the public and others that are not. We appreciate the approval of our DC National Guard traffic support request as we pull together the resources to support our public safety personnel,” the mayor’s office said in a statement..The Department of Defense allotted 700 National Guard troops to provide support if required. The Pentagon confirmed the guard members will not carry guns..Officials have set roadblocks and barriers up around the Capitol, using garbage and dump trucks to block several intersections..The D.C. Police are on full alert, said chief of police, Robert Contee..“We’ll be informing the public as we get closer to that time, with recommendations,” said Contee. “I think we have to be realistic about what we could potentially see. Will there be disruptions to traffic, that kind of thing. And I think we need to be candid with the public about what some of the expectations are based upon what we’ve seen in Ottawa, what we might see here in the District.”.Myke Thomas is a Western Standard contributor.
The first in a series of truck convoys, modelled after the Freedom Convoy in Canada and headed to the Washington D.C. area, arrived in the U.S. capital Feb. 23, but very few people noticed..The convoy, arriving from Scranton Pennsylvania, consisted of only one 18-wheeler and eight other vehicles: five pick-up trucks, an SUV and a sedan..That is expected to change dramatically next week when two large convoys from the west are scheduled to arrive..Bob Bolus, the owner of a trucking company and convoy organizer, originally predicted between 25 and 30 big rigs in the Scranton convoy, but was unperturbed by the low turnout..“We’ve got a few cars … we’ve got people who see what we’re doing on social media and everyone else. It’s like having 10,000 people anyway,” Bolus told Reuters.“We’re fighting for our rights,” he said in an interview with WUSA 9TV last week. “We expect a thousand or two thousand trucks to be converging on D.C.”.Approximately a dozen convoys are expected to eventually arrive in the capital region, with the largest coming from California and Washington State. .Both have attracted many more big trucks than arrived from Scranton..The People’s Convoy left Adelanto, CA on Feb. 23 with a targeted arrival date of March 5. Convoy organizers said there will be eight stops in cities along its route, Interstate 40, where they expect more trucks to join them.. fCourtesy People’s Convoy .“It’s time for 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,” organizers said in a press release..The American Truckers Freedom Convoy, from Washington State, is scheduled to arrive in the D.C. area by March 6. Plans are for stops in 16 cities, where they also expect to add to their numbers..Two other convoys are scheduled to leave Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio, arriving on March 6..Unlike Canada’s Freedom Convoy, which parked in downtown Ottawa, the American convoys will not drive into downtown Washington, said People’s Convoy organizers..“The People’s Convoy will abide by agreements with local authorities, and terminate in the vicinity of the DC area, but will not be going into DC proper,” they said in a press release..The intent is to flood the Capital Beltway (Interstate 495), which circles the Washington region but does not go through the city. I-495 is a major transportation corridor, already known for big traffic jams..Even without plans to enter the city proper, officials are prepared for all eventualities..“The District of Columbia and its public safety agencies are aware of and prepared for potential demonstrations that may take place in the National Capital Region in the weeks ahead. Mayor Bowser is being briefed by public safety officials as we continue to monitor the situation closely. Layered mitigation measures are being put in place, including some that will be visible to the public and others that are not. We appreciate the approval of our DC National Guard traffic support request as we pull together the resources to support our public safety personnel,” the mayor’s office said in a statement..The Department of Defense allotted 700 National Guard troops to provide support if required. The Pentagon confirmed the guard members will not carry guns..Officials have set roadblocks and barriers up around the Capitol, using garbage and dump trucks to block several intersections..The D.C. Police are on full alert, said chief of police, Robert Contee..“We’ll be informing the public as we get closer to that time, with recommendations,” said Contee. “I think we have to be realistic about what we could potentially see. Will there be disruptions to traffic, that kind of thing. And I think we need to be candid with the public about what some of the expectations are based upon what we’ve seen in Ottawa, what we might see here in the District.”.Myke Thomas is a Western Standard contributor.
