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As it happenedended

Trucker convoy DC - live: Protester claims trucks will choke DC ‘like giant boa constrictor’ ahead of SOTU

Protest convoy groups heading to DC area between today and 6 March

Oliver O'Connell,Sravasti Dasgupta
Thursday 24 February 2022 08:36 EST
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National Guard To Help Control Truck Convoy Protests Planned In D.C.

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Up to 800 National Guard troops are expected to be deployed ahead of President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address, amid fears over the protest convoy of truckers heading to Washington DC for the event.

Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Pentagon confirmed that National Guard personnel have been requested to “provide support at traffic control points in and around the District” and to be alert for “possible disruption at key traffic arteries”.

However, no decision to the deployment or number of troops had yet been made, he said.

Several groups are reportedly planning different protests on different routes to Washington DC this week and into March, with several convoy maps and itineraries shared on social media.

Law enforcement agencies in Maryland, Virginia, and the nation’s capital are monitoring potential demonstrations, and security around the US Capitol is ramping up around Mr Biden’s SOTU address, planned for 1 March, while there are fears that some protests may attempt to disrupt the event.

One organiser of the People’s Convoy from Scranton, Pennsylvania, told a local Fox News station the convoy would be like “a giant boa constrictor ... that basically squeezes you, chokes you and it swallows you”.

“That’s what we’re going to do DC.”

Collins describes the convoy as “very, very, disorganised” with an attendance only a fraction of the people who flocked to social media groups related to it.

Oliver O'Connell23 February 2022 18:56

Bob Bolus convoy update

Having stopped for gas outside Harrisburg, Julio-César Chávez of Reuters was able to chat with Bob Bolus about his convoy’s distinct lack of participants.

“We’ve got a few cars…we’ve got people who see what we’re doing on social media and everyone else. It’s like having 10,000 people anyway,” was Mr Bolus’ reply.

The convoy has never broken a total of 15 vehicles, Mr Chávez reports, despite what organisers have told reporters over the phone.

Oliver O'Connell23 February 2022 19:30

Lack of mandates sapping energy

Paul McLeod of Buzzfeed’s DC bureau notes that the different circumstances between the Canadian and American convoys in response to Ben Collins’ tweets from California.

The Canadian convoy picked up steam as it went along but the American variant isn’t off to the most auspicious start.

Two key differences maybe sapping energy: mandates are generally much less strict (or nonexistant) in the US, and DC won’t let them roll in like Ottawa did.

Oliver O'Connell23 February 2022 19:50

Bolus continues on his way

...but says he won’t disrupt traffic.

Oliver O'Connell23 February 2022 20:40

Boebert voices support for truckers

Colorado Rep Lauren Boebert has tweeted out her support for the trucker convoys.

She wrote: “America’s truckers are setting out for DC to peacefully and patriotically make their voices heard!”

Understandably, some of the replies pushed back noting that blocking streets and preventing the free movement of people was not peaceful.

As one person wrote: “OK, no complaints about supply chain issues.”

Oliver O'Connell23 February 2022 21:02

Isn’t the point to sit in traffic?

Apparently, some of the people on the convoy live streams are complaining about having to sit in traffic and how long’s it’s taking to get moving.

Does not sound fun.

Oliver O'Connell23 February 2022 21:25

Six vehicles from Scranton convoy on way to DC

WBAL TV has footage of the Scranton convoy as it heads towards DC.

There are now just six vehicles.

Oliver O'Connell23 February 2022 21:55

Trudeau revokes emergency powers after Canada blockades end

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Wednesday he is removing emergency powers police can use after authorities ended the border blockades by those opposed to Covid-19 restrictions as well as the occupation of downtown Ottawa.

Mr Trudeau invoked the powers last week and lawmakers affirmed the powers late Monday. He said then the powers were still needed but noted they would not stay in place a day longer than necessary.

“The situation is no longer an emergency, therefore the federal government will be ending the use of the emergencies act,” Mr Trudeau said. “We are confident that existing laws and bylaws are sufficient to keep people safe.”

The emergencies act allows authorities to declare certain areas as no-go zones. It also allows police to freeze truckers’ personal and corporate bank accounts and compel tow truck companies to haul away vehicles.

AP

Oliver O'Connell23 February 2022 22:15

Meanwhile in California...

The much-vaunted People’s Convoy heads off...

Oliver O'Connell23 February 2022 22:30

Truckers headed to Washington DC want ‘justice’ for Ashli Babbitt

One of several proposed US trucker convoys – inspired by Canada‘s “Freedom Convoy” – will reportedly travel to Washington DC to make numerous demands, including “justice” for Capitol rioter Ashli Babbitt, who was killed while trying to breach the Capitol.

PennLive reports that the convoy is being organised by Bob Bulos, who owns a towing business near Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Mr Bulos said they want “justice for Ashli” and listed numerous other complaints with the government, including Critical Race Theory, foreign oil imports, and pandemic restrictions.

Graig Graziosi reports.

Truckers headed to Washington DC want ‘justice’ for Ashli Babbitt

The organiser’s truck immediately suffered two flat tires

Oliver O'Connell23 February 2022 23:20

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