Washington Issues Alert as Trucker Convoys Prompt National Guard Deployment; Capitol Fence May be Reinstalled Ahead of Protests

A loose alliance of American trucker organizations has announced plans to protest COVID-19 vaccination regulations in the nation's capital next week.

The large rig owners and their supporters said they aim to end up near Washington, DC, to voice their opposition to the mandates, emulating the enormous rallies that have erupted throughout Canada in recent weeks.

700 National Guard Troops Available to Washington Law Enforcement

The largest group, known as the "People's Convoy," has allegedly gathered over 100 cars and was set to pass through Arizona on Thursday. According to a press statement from the organization, the convoy's 11-day journey would end on March 5 in the DC area.

According to their website, another phalanx, the "American Truckers Freedom Convoy," will travel from numerous beginning sites around the country and reach the DC region by March 6.

However, some organizers have had difficulty attracting participation. According to accounts, a convoy organized by billionaire Bob Bolus still has only a few trucks. To prevent any potential trouble, DC put police on high alert ahead of the convoys' arrival.

Some truckers are hoping to make it to President Biden's State of the Union speech on March 1 in time. Before the convoys arrive, the Pentagon authorized a request to send approximately 700 unarmed National Guard men, according to the New York post.

If a predicted protest convoy of trucks jams the already clogged Beltway in the coming days, the Pentagon is making up to 700 National Guard troops available to Washington law enforcement to keep traffic running.

People opposed to vaccination requirements have been posting often on social media about the so-called People's Convoy, which was inspired by previous rallies in Canada. However, no formal group is financing it, and the sustainability of an 11-day cross-country convoy is unknown, with several ideas. The most likely date for its arrival near the nation's capital is March 5.

The event will not enter the District of Columbia itself, according to the event's website. Instead, the final leg of the convoy will conclude on the Beltway, obstructing traffic in and out of Washington.

Guard personnel will not be armed or permitted to conduct arrests, according to Defense Department spokesman John Kirby. The aid had been requested by the United States. When Congress reconvenes next week and President Joe Biden gives his State of the Union speech on March 1, Capitol Police is ready for any interruption, as per Bloomberg via MSN.

US Trucker Convoys Heading to Washington DC To Make Several Demands

One of many proposed US trucker convoys, inspired by Canada's "Freedom Convoy," is expected to go to Washington, DC, to make several demands, including "justice" for Capitol rioter Ashli Babbitt, who was murdered while attempting to assault the Capitol. Bob Bulos, who runs a towing company near Scranton, Pennsylvania, is organizing the caravan.

Bulos stated that they seek "justice for Ashli," as well as a long list of other grievances with the government, including Critical Race Theory, foreign energy imports, and pandemic restrictions.

It's unknown how many people would attend Mr. Bolus' demonstration, but he claims there has been "tremendous interest." The convoy's initial leg allegedly featured only eight automobiles.

The convoy began with a hiccup when Mr. Bulos' vehicle experienced two flat tires on its journey from Scranton to Harrisburg before traveling to Washington, DC.
The fact that former President Donald Trump lost the 2020 election is at the basis of most of Mr. Bulos' complaints about the administration. He also stated that the truckers want the Capitol police officer who shot Ms. Babbitt on January 6th as she was attacking the Capitol to be prosecuted, Independent reported.