U.S. truckers depart California on trek to D.C. to oppose COVID-19 rules

Feb. 23 (UPI) -- Modeled after the "Freedom Convoy" that disrupted a border crossing in Canada for several days this month, a group of American truckers departed from California Wednesday to travel across the United States in an 11-day journey to protest COVID-19 restrictions.

About 1,000 semi-truck drivers held a rally at Adelanto Stadium in California before departing on the demonstration which argues that mask and vaccination mandates are unconstitutional and that the "government has forgotten its place."

"I love America, but our freedoms will be stripped away if we don't stand up for our rights," driver Larry Horton, 49, who lives in Nevada told the Victorville Daily Press. "This ride is not about truckers, it's about America."

During the rally, truckers displayed banners that included the phrases "We Will Not Comply!" and "Let's Go Brandon," a phrase used by those critical of U.S. President Joe Biden, while speakers Pierre Kory and Paul Alexander made false claims that COVID-19 vaccines cause cancer.

In a statement, the group said its message is "simple."

"The last 23 months of the COVID-19 pandemic have been a rough road for all Americans to travel: spiritually, emotionally, physically and -- not least -- financially," it said. "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."

Heavy traffic delayed the trucks from leaving Adelanto Stadium to the Barstow area before noon on Wednesday.

After departing Wednesday, the group planned to make stops in Arizona, New Mexico and Texas before arriving in Oklahoma on Saturday.

As the nationwide trek continues, they will move through Missouri, Indiana and Ohio before heading south to Maryland and ultimately arriving in the Washington, D.C., area on March 5.

Hundreds of unarmed National Guard troops have been approved to help Washington, D.C., police handle convoys that arrive in the area. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI

Unlike the Canadian Freedom Convoy -- which blocked various roads, including the Ambassador Bridge linking Ontario and Detroit, and ultimately led to the arrests of almost 200 people -- the People's Convoy says it does not plan to obstruct roadways or bridges.

"This convoy is about freedom and unity," the group said in a statement. "The truckers are riding unified across party and state lines and with people of all colors and creeds -- Christians, Muslims, Jews, Sikhs, Mormons, agnostics, Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, Native Americans, Republican, Democrats. All individuals are welcome to participate."

There are also other potential convoys that are mulling similar trips cross-country -- including "Truckers for America" and the "American Truckers Freedom Convoy" later in March.

Bob Bolus, a Pennsylvania trucker who said he's leading 40-50 vehicles in the Freedom Convoy of trucks, had initially suggested the convoy would block traffic but backed down some on Wednesday.

"We're not shutting the traffic down today," Bolus said. "If we don't have a resolution from the government, to the rights they're taking from us, I will predict in the future it will get shut down."

Earlier this month, authorities said they were monitoring possible convoy plans to drive across the country and arrive in D.C. in time for Biden's State of the Union address on Tuesday. Officials at the time said they were also looking for a convoy-style protest at Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles on Feb. 13.

The Defense Department said on Tuesday said that it received a request from U.S. Capitol Police for troop deployment in Washington ahead of the convoy's planned arrival. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has approved about 700 National Guard members to aid police ahead of the convoy's arrival. Officials said the National Guard support troops will not be armed.