A helicopter flying Old Glory greeted truckers in Illinois on Tuesday as they trek cross-country to Washington, D.C., to protest COVID restrictions and vaccine mandates.
The drivers appreciated the encouraging gesture after a warning issued Saturday from the Illinois State Police, frowning on their enterprise and warning of legal consequences. But the convoy reported smooth sailing. One of the participants posted on the Facebook page BigRigShots: “We saw a lot of Police Officers waving friendly at us… We respect THE BLUE A LOT!!!!” Among the hundreds of supportive comments, one reads: “You are absolutely welcome in Illinois… We the people love and support you…”
The truckers are getting used to that type of reception, as thousands of flag-waving Americans greet them daily along their 2,500-mile path. Donors have given more than $1.5 million to provide fuel and supplies, and organizers note that “the fund is being handled by volunteer accountants and overseen by a law firm.” On Monday, the Springfield News-Leader reported the convoy already stretched 15 miles, with more truckers on their way to join along the path to D.C.
The People’s Convoy got its inspiration from truckers in Canada, where Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently invoked emergency powers to brutally suppress that movement. Many wonder if his unauthorized use of force against Canadians could pose as prelude to what is in store for U.S. truckers, who plan to arrive in the D.C. area on Saturday, March 5. American Military News reports that the Biden Administration is deploying 700 National Guard troops “to assist law enforcement with anticipated trucker convoy protests.” The announcement claims they will be unarmed and are intended to help with traffic, though the D.C. National Guard did not seem to think it overkill to announce its intent to use “50 large tactical vehicles” during the deployment.
However, in a media statement released Saturday, convoy organizers emphasized that they do not intend to enter D.C. proper and will not be there for the State of the Union address. They disclaim any ties to Bob Bolus, who last week called off his own convoy for lack of support after he declared intent to “‘choke’ the nation’s capital like a boa constrictor,” according to The Daily Beast. Other groups traveling from areas around the country will join The People’s Convoy in D.C. to participate in their peaceful protest. For instance, the American Freedom Convoy passes through Texarkana, Texas, on March 2.
The People’s Convoy bills itself as a “peaceful and unified … non-partisan, trucker-led effort supported by a cross-cultural and multi-faith contingent of supporters.” Their official declaration states: “We demand the declaration of national emergency concerning the Covid-19 pandemic be lifted immediately and our cherished Constitution reign supreme.”
The caravan completes its seventh day of travel on Tuesday and plans to take a break in Monrovia, Indiana, until Thursday, when it departs for Cambridge, Ohio. Truckers began their journey in California on February 23.
The launch gathering at Adelanto Stadium in Southern California featured speakers including Dr. Pierre Kory, president of the Frontline Covid-19 Critical Care Alliance, and Godspeak church pastor Rob McCoy. Convoy organizers plan a second rally, “Shifting Gears: A Rally for Freedom & Accountability” at Ted Everett Farm Equipment in Monrovia, Indiana, on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
