Thousands of Canadian 18-wheelers rolled on the nation’s capital, protesting a government vaccine mandate that requires cross-border truck drivers to show proof or quarantine for two weeks. Participants in the historic Freedom Convoy peacefully voiced their sentiments by jamming streets to express a similar level of discomfort truckers feel.
“Right now, yeah, it’s really cold, but we hang in there, the days are going to get longer, and we take this block party and put it into overdrive. We’re in this one for the long haul. We don’t have a time limit,” Freedom Convoy co-organizer BJ Dichter reportedly said, adding truckers want to create a “logistics nightmare.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made good on his policy requiring truck drivers to haul goods and materials across the U.S.-Canada border to show proof of vaccination or quarantine for 14 days after each run. The move triggered truckers who choose not to get vaccination due to potential side effects, religious or personal reasons to bottleneck a border crossing around Emerson, Manitoba, with a slow-rolling 30-truck convey. Out of that protest, the Freedom Convoy was born, and a Go-Fund-Me effort garnered more than $8 million in donations.
Although reports differ widely regarding how many truckers and supporters participated in the massive Freedom Convoy, estimates range from 2,700 rigs to upwards of 50,000 people, with government officials indicating as few as 2,000. But no one disagrees that the hard-working men and women who deliver 76.8 percent of all transborder freight ground Ottawa to a standstill.
“To those in the trucking industry that have chosen to participate in this protest regarding cross border mandates, we ask that you engage in a peaceful demonstration today then leave the City of Ottawa to avoid any issues to the welfare and safety of the citizens of Ottawa,” the Canadian Trucking Alliance reportedly stated. “Your behaviour today will not only reflect upon you and your family but the 300,000 plus fellow Canadians that, like you, take great pride in our industry.”
Although the Canadian Trucking Alliance chose not to support the peaceful protest, the convoy has attracted support from Trudeau’s political rivals as well as that of fellow truckers worldwide. Conservative party leader Erin O’Toole and Provencher’s Ted Falk reportedly threw their support behind the Freedom Convoy. O’Toole recently went on the record indicating the country grows uncomfortable with the idea people could lose their job or wages over vaccine mandates.
“There’s a big difference between ‘I can’t go to a movie or a hockey game’ and ‘I’m going to lose my house,’” O’Toole reportedly said. “The line I’ve drawn is that nobody should lose their job if we can accommodate them.”
“These are people that are law-abiding citizens who love Canada and want to make a peaceful statement as they are feeling unheard,” Falk reportedly said.
Reports coming out of Ottawa indicate the Freedom Convoy has largely enjoyed peaceful demonstrations, with some fringe elements creating minor disturbances. Truckers blocked the streets around Parliament while government officials such as Defence Minister Anita Anand reportedly called demonstrations “beyond reprehensible.”
Internationally, truckers are reportedly organizing Freedom Convoys in Australia, Germany, Brazil, and the Netherlands, among others in solidarity. Although government officials continue to mandate vaccines as a way to combat the spread of Covid strains, iconic leaders such as electric semi-manufacturers such as Elon Musk have voiced disagreement.
“If the government had the mandate of the people, there would be a significant counter-protest,” Musk reportedly tweeted. “There is not, therefore they do not.”
Sources: nationalpost.com, cantruck.ca, theweek.com, washingtonpost.com, ottawacitizen.com
Why is mainstream media and some people trying to make convicts out of hard working Canadian truckers who are trying to protect what are ancestors fought for!
Freedom of choice to a vaccine that doesn’t work! What’s next?
Go truckers Go
“If the government had the mandate of the people, there would be a significant counter-protest,” Musk reportedly tweeted. “There is not, therefore they do not.”
Love it.
Heroes on roadways globally, truckers generally have watched out for people and emergencies world wide for years. Helping people in trouble, stranded, along with announcing cautions ahead. These stand up hero’s are beyond words… Helping us all in our troubles to once no longer be stranded. Freedom awards need to be developed for each and everyone of them… For restoring our faith, igniting souls to regain freedom that were just about lost.
With great respect and admiration,
Stacey