'People's Convoy' truck protest drives laps around Washington
CTV
Hundreds of trucks, recreational vehicles and cars were circling the outskirts of Washington on Sunday, threatening to cause traffic backups around the capital as part of a protest against pandemic restrictions.
The so-called "People's Convoy," which originated in California and has drawn participants from around the country, is calling for an end to all pandemic-related restrictions. It was inspired by demonstrations last month that paralyzed Ottawa.
Hundreds of vehicles gathered on Friday and Saturday at the Hagerstown Speedway, a racetrack in Maryland about 130 kilometres northwest of downtown Washington.
On Sunday morning, many left in convoy to drive slow laps on the Beltway, a highway that encircles the city. They honked their horns as they set off, while onlookers waved American flags, according to a Reuters witness.
The convoy, more than three kilometres long, was slowing traffic at points along the Beltway by late Sunday morning, but not bringing it to a standstill.
