Ted Hesson

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – More than a thousand trucks and recreational vehicles are gathered on Washington’s outskirts as part of a demonstration against COVID-19 restrictions which threaten to bring down the U.S. capital over the next few days.

So-called “People’s Convoy”, which was founded in California but has attracted participants from across the nation, calls for an end all restrictions related to pandemics. The idea was inspired by protests that left Ottawa, Canada’s capital, paralysed last month.

In recent weeks, the message of the convoy has been weakened by major U.S. cities removing mask mandates as well as other measures to combat COVID-19. This disease has caused more than 950,000 deaths but can now be mitigated using vaccines and therapeutics. In Tuesday’s State of the Union address, President Joe Biden (a Democrat) indicated that the nation was now in a more controlled stage of the pandemic. This is without school closings and business lockdowns.

According to Reuters witnesses, there were still more than 100 18-wheeler truck convoys at Hagerstown Speedway on Friday night. The Hagerstown Speedway is a track about 80 miles (129km) away from Washington. One witness stated that drivers continued to pour into the lot Saturday morning.

The protest website stated that they didn’t intend to go into “D.C. Proper” but social media messages suggested they might stay at the track on Saturday. On Friday, one participant, the “lead trucker,” told a crowd of cheering fans at the racetrack that he’d drive his truck to the American capital.

The man stated, “D.C. the government, whoever it may be, can claim they have all the opposition for us in D.C.” The flag that I have on my truck’s back will be carried down Constitution Avenue to the Washington Monument and White House.

Five people were killed and over 100 officers were injured when supporters of ex-Republican President Donald Trump attacked the U.S. Capitol a little over a year ago.

One U.S. official said that federal law enforcement agencies in the United States have been cooperating with state and local authorities over the past weeks, to ensure the arrival of the convoy.

Reuters examined a Feb. 26, U.S. Department of Homeland Security bulletin for law enforcement. It stated that trucker convoys may hinder emergency responders, depending on the magnitude of the protest.

According to the bulletin, federal law enforcement is not aware that domestic violent extremists have made threats. But they do believe some extremists will “probably be drawn” and may engage in premeditated/opportunistic violence.

DHS indicated that there is a possibility that an attack might be more likely because COVID regulations have been a key driver of domestic extremist violence for the past two-years. It said that federal officials wouldn’t be able to spot violent plotting on online public forums before the advent of encrypted apps or private forums.

According to the official, federal law enforcement also recognizes the necessity to respect peaceful protest.

A woman in Silver Spring, Maryland identified only herself as Dorothy, and stated that she was against COVID restrictions. She also said the topic had created divisions within her family, and caused problems at work.

She told Reuters that she believes her medical decisions are private, and should not have to reveal them in order to be able to engage in daily activities.