DC trucker convoy protesting COVID-19 mandates begins beltway circuit

HAGERSTOWN, Md. — A big group of truck drivers and their supporters who object to COVID-19 mandates started their cellular protest within the Washington, D.C., space Sunday, embarking on a drive designed to snarl visitors and make their objections identified to lawmakers.

Protesters staged on the Hagerstown Speedway in Maryland throughout the weekend earlier than heading down a single lane of Interstate 81. Their plan was to drive onto the Capital Beltway, circle it twice after which return to Hagerstown, information retailers reported.

The “Folks’s Convoy” follows comparable demonstrations by truckers in Canada upset at vaccine necessities to cross the Canadian border. The Washington Submit reported that convoy organizer Brian Brase intends for protesters to journey on the beltway each day throughout the upcoming week till its calls for are met.

What are they protesting?:After Canada, US truckers determined to begin their very own ‘convoys’

A video posted on Twitter confirmed vans passing beneath a big American flag hoisted within the air by two cranes. Supporters stood alongside a highway waving because the drivers left.

Officers with state police in Maryland and Virginia have mentioned they’ll monitor the actions.

Authorities within the District of Columbia mentioned Sunday they’re monitoring demonstration exercise that’s anticipated to start disrupting journey on roadways in and across the area. The vast majority of the exercise is anticipated to happen on the beltway. Vacationers have been suggested to think about alternate modes of transportation.