How Long Can You Drive With Bad Rotors
The convoy of Canadian truckers and supporters undertook a cross-country journey to Ottawa to protest over Covid restrictions
After a week-long drive from British Columbia province, a group of Canadian long-haul truck drivers – dubbed the 'Freedom Convoy' – made its style beyond the land to Ottawa, the national uppercase in the eastern province of Ontario on Saturday. The large rigs now dominate the national uppercase, casting a long shadow over political discourse both in the country and beyond. Thousands of truckers, and supporters, proceed to protest against the federal government'due south vaccine mandates and other Covid-19 policies – under the glare of law enforcement officials and the national media spotlight. Hither's what we know so far.
ane. So, what kicked off the 'Freedom Convoy' exactly?
Until mid-January, cross-border truck drivers in Canada were exempt from vaccine requirements – meaning they could drive to the United states of america and back without needing to prove vaccination status. After the regime instituted a mandate that imposed a quarantine on unvaccinated drivers, a band of truckers in western Canada organized a cross-country drive to protest in Ottawa.
The motility gathered momentum and public support as it traveled east. It also garnered the backing of those who are opposed to Prime Government minister Justin Trudeau's Liberal authorities and that of anti-vaccine mandate groups frustrated with pandemic restrictions that they view as "political overreach." According to a statement by organizers, the convoy demands that federal and provincial governments close down vaccine passports and all other "obligatory vaccine contact-tracing programs," and "terminate Covid-nineteen vaccine mandates."
2. Are there really thousands of trucks on the road?
In its argument on Midweek, the organizers said that "although our initial convoy [was] estimated to be 1,600 trucks, that number significantly increased to 36,000 trucks in just a few days. It is now estimated that the number of heavy trucks heading to Ottawa is closer to 50,000." However, national media outlets and law enforcement bodies have reported anywhere from "hundreds" of trucks to figures in the low thousands over the past week. Some calculations have also accounted for cars and SUVs that take also apparently latched onto the convoy. The real figure likely lies somewhere in between – with the Canadian Trucking Brotherhood having estimated that the vaccine mandate would bear upon some 16,000 drivers since it claimed that betwixt 85-90% of the land'south 120,000 cross-border truckers have been jabbed.
3. Exercise the truckers have popular support?
Over the past week, videos on social media platforms and news footage have shown trucks and other vehicles chugging along highways and city streets, cheered on by crowds of people gathered on the roadsides and overpasses. Large groups of people take besides been waving Canadian flags and holding upwards signs that take aim at both Trudeau and his policies. The organizers take claimed to "have the support of millions of Canadians from across the land." While authorities accept not released figures about the number of people who arrived in Ottawa, local constabulary sources told media outlets that the crowds in the uppercase'south Downtown area and Parliament Hill were like to those seen during large gatherings on major public holidays – typically running into the tens of thousands. Reports in Canadian media take also highlighted crowds gathering for local rallies being held at various places in support of the Freedom Convoy. Some other metric that hinted at the movement's wider popularity is a GoFundMe campaign that has seen Can$ 8.6 million (US$ 6.7 million) raised from over 108,000 people over the by week.
Nonetheless, the truckers' demonstration has also prompted criticism from those who consider its participants to be "far-right" and spreading "disinformation." Ottawa police have told the media they were preparing for counter-protests and that they have received a "direct threat" aimed at officers from an unspecified individual. Officials have also been warning some "extremist" groups might attempt to capitalize on the mass protest, with the New Democratic Political party leader going as far as saying that some "elements" were "attempting to plow the convoy into a Canadian version of the terrorist attacks on the US Capitol."
4. How long will the truckers' protestation final?
Co-ordinate to a running clock on the grouping'due south official webpage, the "Countdown to Liberty" ends in less than a day, equally of the time of writing. The most recent updates almost their itinerary for Lord's day show a prayer service for 11am (Eastern Standard Fourth dimension) and a press conference at 1pm, where additional details may exist announced. The protesters had planned to encamp in Ottawa for at least the weekend, but police force sources have suggested that the rally could potentially keep into the next week.
5. Has the 'Freedom Convoy' protest in Ottawa been peaceful?
The urban center'south police has reportedly been augmented past officers from other parts of the province equally well every bit members of the national security and intelligence customs to finish potential unrest. Ottawa Police Chief Peter Sloly had described the state of affairs on Friday every bit "unique, fluid, risky, and significant" and warned of threats from "lonely wolf" actors who may have infiltrated the crowds. He also warned of "social media actors" who are "inciting hate, violence, and in some cases, criminality to accept place."
However, no violence, arrests or injuries take been reported by government then far and the convoy organizers accept said the "motion is a peaceful protest" and does "non disregard any acts of violence." In a statement on Friday, the Freedom Convoy organizers had urged participants to "treat all police force officers with respect" and "non make any type of threat."
half-dozen. Where is Justin Trudeau in all of this?
Prime Government minister Trudeau and his family were apparently shifted to an "undisclosed location" in Ottawa on Saturday due to security concerns. Several trucks in the convoy displayed slogans and signs such as "F**k Trudeau," with protesters patently using every bit a rallying cry his earlier dismissal of the movement as the voices of a "fringe minority" that harbored "unacceptable views." Some have reportedly called for Trudeau to be charged with treason or beaten up. In one of his last interviews prior to being moved, Trudeau expressed business organisation on Friday virtually the potential for violence – challenge the move has "morphed into something a lot larger" only was still "a very small-scale, very angry group... who are really trying to lash out."
7. What are people exterior Canada saying about the truckers' protest?
The unusual scale and scope of the protestation has captured public attending outside the country. Onetime US President Donald Trump praised the convoy participants at a rally in Texas on Saturday, noting that they were "doing more to defend American freedom than our ain leaders by far." Other prominent individuals that accept spoken in support include Tesla CEO Elon Musk, podcaster Joe Rogan and comedian Russell Brand. Reactions from some liberal pundits and US media has been more often than not negative, with some opinions linking the protesting truckers to far-right groups, white supremacist ideologies and Covid misinformation. The Washington Mail has published an opinion piece calling on Canada to "face up the toxic 'Freedom Convoy' caput-on," in which columnist David Moscrop described the truckers as "a fringe group" and claimed they were "driven by a generalized rage, misplaced anger about supply-chain challenges and antigovernment sentiment."
Source: https://www.rt.com/news/547796-freedom-trucker-protest-trudeau/
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