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
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Your support makes all the difference.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.”
Fencing erected for SOTU
Fencing has been erected ahead of President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address. Trucker protesters are expected in Washington DC, with fears the demonstrations will disrupt the address.
DC issues alert over protests
An alert has been issued as truckers head to Washington DC by Mayor Muriel Bowser.
Why US trucker convoys may not replicate Canada’s
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.
What are the truckers planning?
Taking a cue from demonstrations that paralysed Canada’s capital city for weeks, US truckers on Wednesday plan to embark on a 2,500-mile (4,000-km) cross-country drive toward Washington, DC to protest coronavirus restrictions.
Organisers of the “People’s Convoy” say they want to “jumpstart the economy” and reopen the country. Their 11-day trek will approach the Beltway around the US capital on 5 March “but will not be going into DC proper,” according to a statement.
The Pentagon said on Tuesday it had approved 400 DC National Guard troops to “provide support at designated traffic posts, provide command and control, and cover sustainment requirements” from 26 February through 7 March.
About 50 large tactical vehicles were also approved to be placed at traffic posts.
Brian Brase, a truck driver who is one of the organisers, said regardless of where the trucks stop “we’re not going anywhere” until the group’s demands are met. Those demands include an end to Covid-19 vaccine and mask requirements.
Most US states are already easing some restrictions. In California, where the convoy begins, universal mask requirements were lifted last week while masks for vaccinated people are required only in high-risk areas such as public transit, schools, and healthcare settings.
Another convoy was expected to leave Scranton, Pennsylvania — President Joe Biden’s hometown — on Wednesday morning and arrive on the 495 Beltway (highway) in Washington sometime during the afternoon.
Organiser Bob Bolus told WJLA News, an ABC affiliate in Washington, that his convoy has no intention to break laws or block traffic, but warned this could happen if their demands regarding pandemic mandates and the cost of fuel are not met.
“They are not going to intimidate us and they are not going to threaten us. We’re the power, not them,” he said.
Reuters
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.
It does not sound fun.
National Park Service receives application for SOTU demo
The National Park Service has received an application for a 3,000 person demonstration planned for near the Washington Monument on the morning of the State of the Union address.
The application says the protest is against mandates and in support of convoys in Canada and of the lifting of mandates in DC and the rest of the US.
It has not yet been approved.
Largest convoy group lists six routes
The largest of the three organised convoy groups (in addition to the Scranton convoy and People’s Convoy out of southern California) has six different routes listed on its website.
The American Truckers Freedom Convoy lists two convoy routes setting off on 1 March — one from Spokane, Washington, and one from Weatherford, Texas.
On 2 March, another group will set off from Fresno, California.
A fourth group departs Minot, North Dakota, on 3 March.
On 6 March as the other groups near Washington, DC, two more convoys will set off from Cleveland, Ohio, and Columbus, Ohio.
All aim to arrive in the capital region later on 6 March.
Poor turnout for first convoy en route to DC
Not a great start for the convoys, Bob Bolus’ group currently consists of his 18-wheeler truck, 2 pick up trucks, and about seven SUVs or sedans, according to Julio-César Chávez of Reuters TV.
Mr Bolus had claimed to have 25 trucks heading to DC.
White House chief of staff hopes SOTU will boost POTUS numbers
White House chief of staff Ron Klain said on Wednesday that he hopes that the state of the union (SOTU) address will boost president Joe Biden’s numbers in the polls.
In a video conference with House Democrats Mr Klain said he hopes that the SOTU address will boost Mr Biden’s numbers in part by demonstrating leadership on national security and by showing empathy for Americans frustrated with Covid-19 and inflation, reported CNN quoting sources.
Mr Klain said that more work needs to be done to ensure that Democrats along with Mr Biden are perceived as more trusted on their handling of the economy.
He added that the address next Tuesday will include a significant national security focus with the goal of displaying leadership particularly as it pertains to the Russia-Ukraine crisis.
The call on Wednesday was to lay down Mr Biden’s vision for the year and preview themes for his address.
It was also attended by other White House officials, including director of legislative affairs Louisa Terrell, senior adviser Cedric Richmond and communications director Kate Bedingfield.
Pelosi ‘confident’ of Capitol security ahead of truckers protest
As the truckers convoy protesting against Covid-19 vaccine mandates is expected to reach Washington for next week’s state of the union (SOTU) address, house speaker Nancy Pelosi said that she is “confident” of Capitol security.
“They have a good handle on what the expectation is,” Ms Pelosi told reporters on Wednesday.
“I feel confident.”
Last year’s Capitol Hill insurrection on 6 January looms large on president Joe Biden’s address scheduled for next Tuesday.
In the aftermath of the insurrection, the Pentagon had approved the longest deployment of troops to the Capitol since the Civil War and a miles-long fence was erected around the complex for months.
Ms Pelosi told reporters that it’s not up to her whether the fence returns, which reportedly is under consideration.
The Capitol itself remains largely closed to the public.
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