‘People’s Convoy’ – Truckers Leave California and Head to Washington, D.C.

Hundreds of truckers and supporters gathered at Adelanto Stadium in California, on Wednesday, February 23, to begin the “People’s Convoy” to Washington, D.C. The group is protesting continued COVID-19 restrictions and mandates.

The San Bernadino County Sheriff’s Department “estimated that 100 big rigs and 500 to 600 cars participated in the convoy,” which headed toward Kingman, Arizona, said the Los Angeles Times. But the People’s Convoy reported more than 1,100 big rigs, trucks, cars and campers – with more to join them along the route.

The convoy’s first stop was at Great American Pizza and Subs, outside Kingman, on Thursday February 24, the caravan headed toward Lupton, Arizona. It moves toward Texas on Friday.

Newsmax reporter Eric Bolling posted a map of the route, scheduled to end outside Washington, D.C. on March 5:

(Imbed tweet) https://twitter.com/ericbolling/status/1496572104178909193

The People’s Convoy expects to be joined with other convoys leaving from states from North Carolina to Florida, and from Maine to Pennsylvania. WePatriot shows the starting points and dates, along with a map of the caravans joining up.

Other social media posts showed people lining the roads along the route from California to Arizona, supporting the first legs of the trip.

"This is the most peaceful convoy that you could ever be in, it's the People's Convoy."

Trucker Allen Kelly gives an update as the convoy begins its cross-country journey to Washington DC to protest vaccine and mask mandates.
@ericbolling

MORE: https://t.co/DJ6ArauVrP pic.twitter.com/FMQvbhBbb5

— Newsmax (@newsmax) February 23, 2022

Over 1,000 Trucks, RVs, and Cars are now en route to the first stop, in Kingman, AZ from Adelanto, CA.

Hundreds of supporters came to see the convoy off, set to arrive at the nations Capitol on March 5th. pic.twitter.com/AKYItdR9H3

— El American (@ElAmerican_) February 23, 2022

The People’s Convoy, which had raised $464,731 as of their day of departure, uses the motto “Let Freedom Roll” and calls itself a “restoration movement.” Their “Trucker’s Declaration” reads, in part:

WE DEMAND THE DECLARATION OF NATIONAL EMERGENCY CONCERNING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC BE LIFTED IMMEDIATELY AND OUR CHERISHED CONSTITUTION REIGN SUPREME.

WE ARE THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND WE STAND TOGETHER UNDER THE BANNER OF FREEDOM – FREEDOM IS THE ONE THING THAT UNITES US ALL. LIBERTY FLOWS THROUGH ALL OF OUR VEINS (use of all caps is theirs).

The organization says it is made up of a diverse group of people and professions, and they have a message for elected officials:

YOU work for US. Our constitution was written to provide enough power to act on a national level, but not enough to deprive the people of fundamental rights. The people are prepared to see this challenge through – as we have seen through all challenges to our Freedom in the past. And we will prevail and prosper (their emphasis).

The group also applauded “our Canadian brothers and sisters who led the charge,” saying, “We join your call to Freedom with THE PEOPLE’S CONVOY.”

In a press release before the event, the organization stated,

The average American worker needs to be able to end-run the economic hardships of the last two years and get back to the business of making bread – so they can pay their rents and mortgages and help jumpstart this economy. To that end, it’s time for elected officials to work with the blue collar and white-collar workers of America and restore accountability and liberty – by lifting all mandates and ending the state of emergency – as COVID is well-in-hand now, and Americans need to get back to work in a free and unrestricted manner.

Liberal legacy media, like the Los Angeles Times and The New York Times decried the convoy, saying it was made up of “far-right groups” and was connected to “the violent attack on the Capitol in January 2021.”

But a press release from the People’s Convoy stated its non-violent ethos, saying, “The convoy is being assisted by retired military personnel and security experts, who are spearheading logistics in order to ensure a 100% safe, lawful, and peaceful journey.”