Truck Protest Against Vaccines Heading to US Capital

Canada Truck Protest Imitated Nationwide
Defense Ministry Deploys Military to Support Traffic Control

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The protest against COVID-19 vaccine mandates, which began with truck drivers in Canada, is spreading to Washington DC, the capital of the United States.

On the 23rd (local time), American truck drivers started a protest crossing approximately 4,000 km from western California to demand the cessation of vaccine and mask mandates, according to major foreign media.

This protest group, modeled after the Canadian "Freedom Convoy" that held large-scale truck protests opposing vaccine mandates, consists of about 20 trucks and 50 large vehicles including RVs.

Calling themselves the "People's Convoy," this American protest group aims to reach the Beltway, the ring road near Washington DC, after an 11-day journey by next month’s 5th.

The convoy departing from Scranton, Pennsylvania, President Joe Biden’s hometown, is also expected to reach the Beltway on the same day.

The simultaneous gathering of protestors from across the country at the Beltway is interpreted as an attempt to paralyze traffic around the capital area.

The U.S. government has already taken measures. The Department of Homeland Security identified that far-right figures and regional truck drivers are organizing the protest and that they plan to gather at the Capitol where President Biden will deliver his State of the Union address on March 1.

The Department of Defense will deploy 400 unarmed National Guard troops from Washington DC and 300 from other regions to assist with traffic control from the 26th of this month to the 7th of next month. Additionally, 50 large tactical vehicles will be stationed at traffic checkpoints, and if necessary, 300 more National Guard troops will be deployed to the outskirts of Washington DC.

The People’s Convoy stated in a press release that they "will not enter the interior of the capital." However, considering that the Canadian protestors held demonstrations in Ottawa, the capital, this possibility cannot be ruled out.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.