Trucker ‘Freedom Convoy’ protests Justin Trudeau’s vaccine mandates
A convoy of Canadian truckers and their supporters rolled into the nation’s capital city of Ottawa Saturday to protest Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
The so-called “Freedom Convoy” started as a protest against a vaccine requirement for cross-border truckers, but grew into a mass demonstration against the Canadian government over other coronavirus regulations.
Dozens of trucks were lined up in front of the Parliament buildings Saturday morning, blowing their horns while thousands of people gathered peacefully on snow-covered lawns. By the end of the day, about 2,700 trucks were expected, a federal government source told Reuters.
Few wore masks, but many sported balaclavas as the temperature with windchill hit -6 degrees.
“It’s not just about the vaccines. It’s about stopping the public health mandates altogether,” said Daniel Bazinet, owner of Valley Flatbed & Transportation in Nova Scotia.
On Friday, some protestors got an early start; dozens of vehicles blocked the roads in front of the Parliament buildings while loudly honking. Many carried Canadian flags and “F–k Trudeau” banners.
Trudeau and his family left their home in downtown Ottawa due to security concerns, the CBC reported.
On Friday, the prime minister told the Canadian Press he was concerned the protest would turn violent, but said the convoy represented a “small fringe minority” who “do not represent the views of Canadians.”
A day earlier, a top official overseeing security for Canada’s House of Commons fired off an email warning members of Parliament to “go somewhere safe” and hide if they witness demonstrations near their residences or offices, CTV News reported.
“Avoid physical altercations, even if provoked, close and lock all exterior doors, advise the local authorities … [and] refrain from posting anything related to the demonstration on social media,” Sergeant-at-Arms Patrick McDonell cautioned MPs.
Trudeau announced a vaccine mandate for federal workers in October, and last month both Canada and the United States imposed one for cross-border truckers.
The protests have drawn support from some Conservative lawmakers who oppose vaccine mandates in both the US and Canada and others including Tesla founder Elon Musk and Donald Trump Jr.
The Canadian Trucking Alliance, which represents 4,500 carriers, opposes the protest.
About 90% of Canada’s cross-border truckers and 77% of the population has had two shots, Reuters reported.
