‘People’s Convoy’ truck protest drives laps around Washington
- The so-called People’s Convoy is calling for an end to all coronavirus restrictions and was inspired by demonstrations last month that paralysed Ottawa, Canada
- The convoy’s message has been undercut in recent weeks as major US cities have rolled back mask mandates and other measures against Covid-19
Hundreds of trucks, recreational vehicles and cars were circling the outskirts of Washington on Sunday, threatening to cause traffic backups around the capital as part of a protest against pandemic restrictions.
The Capitol Police Board, the overseers of the police force that protects Congress and Capitol Hill, issued an emergency declaration in response to the convoys. The emergency declaration allows US Capitol Police to request aid from the National Guard.
The so-called “People’s Convoy”, which originated in California and has drawn participants from around the country, is calling for an end to all pandemic-related restrictions. It was inspired by demonstrations last month that paralysed Ottawa, Canada’s capital city.
Hundreds of vehicles gathered on Friday and Saturday at the Hagerstown Speedway, a racetrack in Maryland about 130k (80 miles) northwest of downtown Washington.
On Sunday morning, many left in convoy to drive slow laps on the Beltway, a highway that encircles the city. They honked their horns as they set off, while onlookers waved American flags.
The convoy, more than 3km long, was slowing Traffic at points along the Beltway by late Sunday morning, but not bringing it to a standstill.