WASHINGTON (Dispatches) – Over a thousand large trucks, recreational vehicles and cars have gathered on the outskirts of Washington as part of a demonstration against COVID-19 restrictions.
Inspired by demonstrations last month that paralyzed Ottawa, Canada’s capital city, the so-called “People’s Convoy” is calling for an end to all pandemic-related restrictions.
The convoy’s message has been undermined in recent weeks as major U.S. cities have rolled back mask mandates and other measures against COVID-19.
The convoy, which originated in California more than a week ago, has drawn participants from around the country. It was stationed on Saturday in Hagerstown, Md., about 70 miles northwest of the capital.
A post on Facebook noted that a rally had been planned for Saturday evening at the Hagerstown Speedway - a racetrack about 80 miles (129 km) from downtown Washington - where the trucks were amassing.
Also, several people commented that the group would be leaving on Sunday for the Capital Beltway, a highway that surrounds Washington.
One protestor who described himself as the lead trucker told a crowd at the racetrack on Friday night that he would drive his truck into the heart of the U.S. capital.
“D.C., the government, whomever, can claim that they have all this opposition for us waiting in D.C.,” the man said. “But that flag on the back of my truck will go down to Constitution Avenue between the White House and the Washington Monument.”
U.S. federal law enforcement agencies have been coordinating with state and local authorities for weeks in preparation for the possible arrival of the convoy.
Christopher Rodriguez, director of the District of Columbia Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, said the convoy had signaled that it was not planning to enter the capital. However, if the protesters did enter Washington, the authorities would be ready for them, he said.
“We’ve been planning for this for over a month now,” Rodriguez said, adding that National Guard members were stationed around the city with personnel, equipment and heavy vehicles.
“In the event we do see impact in the district, those personnel and equipment can help move traffic through with the support of the Metropolitan Police Department,” he said.