Earlier this year, a union of truckers rolled their rigs into Washington DC and demanded that the government lift pandemic-related restrictions. The Trucker Convoy Protests in the U.S. was inspired by the Ottowa trucker protest in Canada. The Canadian trucker convoy protests caused roads to shut down in protest of vaccine mandates. Specifically, a Canadian rule required drivers returning from the United States to be vaccinated. According to the Canadian Trucking Alliance, roughly 90% of Canadian truck drivers were already vaccinated. A minority of truckers objected to the new requirements for transporting goods between Canada and the U.S.
What Happened in Canada
As the convoy spread across Canada, the focus expanded to oppose all pandemic-era mandates like mask requirements and COVID vaccine passport check-ins. On Jan. 28, a group of truckers traveled to Ottawa, Canada’s capital, in protest of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s vaccine mandates. During a three-day operation, Ottawa police deployed resources to disperse the crowd, towed over 70 vehicles, arrested 191 people, and instated 389 charges against 103 protesters. The clearing of the capital came days after the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) ordered a freeze on 206 bank and corporate accounts managing millions in funds related to the protests.
The demonstrations had shut down two border crossings between Canada and the United States. This put stress on the US-Canada supply chain which carried more than $300 million in trade a day. Moving into the Canadian capital, disruptions from protests cost the city $800,000 per day in policing expenses.
Trucker Convoy Protests in The U.S
In the U.S. the “People’s Convoy” also protested vaccine mandates by driving around the D.C. region for more than three weeks. The protest was unable to accomplish its goals and numbers started to dwindle over time, receiving a lot of pushback from residents and activists. The convoy left its base in Western Maryland to travel to California to challenge health-related bills.
The tactics employed by the People’s Convoy were different from those in Ottawa. Instead of occupying the city, they embarked on a demonstration that consisted of sitting in traffic on the Capital Beltway and driving in the District. The protest started on February 23rd during pandemic-related restrictions across federal and local levels. It brought together parents concerned about vaccine mandates for their children, healthcare workers who refused vaccination, and members of the Three Percenters.
Support Our Truckers!
Want to help our truckers? Here are a few charity organizations you can look into donating!
St. Christopher Truckers Development and Relief Fund
This is the most well-known. They provide truckers with stop smoking programs, financial assistance, and links to overall health and wellness tips.
Welcome
Truckers Final Mile
This charity helps truckers reunite with their families during a crisis.
Trucker Charity
Trucker Charity offers great services such as life coaches, mentoring, food and emergency housing for truckers, and more!
Meals for 18 Wheels
This organization helps supply hot meals to truck drivers. Check out their Facebook page to learn how you can help deliver meals.
