In an attempt to disrupt the flow of cross-border trade, a group of truck drivers has gathered at a Canadian bridge and closed the Ambassador Bridge to protest vaccination requirements. Although the Canadian Trucking Alliance and the Teamsters Union have condemned the blockades, they have also denied supporting the truck drivers’ cause. In Canada, 90 percent of truckers are vaccinated, and the Canadian Teamster Union said it has received no support for the blockades. Vaccination requirements are also causing significant strain on the auto industry supply chain.
The protest was initially organized by far-right activists who espouse anti-Semitic and Islamophobic views. Protesters have argued that the vaccine mandate is simply a pretext. At their first rally, they carried swastika and confederate flags. This has raised concerns among racialized communities in Canada. Approximately twenty percent of truck drivers in Canada are South Asian, making the convoy an ideal platform for these groups.
The protest has reached the US-Canada border three times. In addition to shutting down the Ambassador Bridge, truckers have parked in the middle of three major roadways that connect the two countries. The Ambassador Bridge is a vital crossing between the US and Canada, connecting Windsor, Ontario, with Detroit, Michigan.
Why are the Trucks Boycotting?
The trucks are protesting the lack of pay and regulations on the job. They are also protesting the construction of new superhighways in the US and Canada under NAFTA, including the Trans Texas Corridor. These roads will not require background checks on Mexican trucks, which could create supply shortages. Furthermore, many truck drivers are ununionized and don’t receive retirement benefits. They want to put these issues on the forefront of the public’s consciousness.
The convoy began in California and is expected to continue until all of their demands are met. The convoy will cover 4,000 miles, stop in 10 cities, and will last for 11 days. The main point of this protest is to prevent the federal government from enacting more Covid-19 mandates, which prevent truck drivers from driving safely.
The truckers are coordinating their boycott on social media. The videos depicting the truckers’ actions have gone viral. A series of TikTok posts shows hundreds of truckers refusing to enter the state. According to the drivers, the trucks are protesting in honor of 26-year-old Rogel Aguilera-Mederos. Aguilera-Mederos was sentenced to 110 years for the deadly crash in Colorado in April 2019. The sentence is considered draconian.
Why are the Truckers Striking?
In a bid to protect their jobs, the truckers are striking. The strike, which started in Akron, Ohio, is part of a larger movement against high fuel prices. The unions oppose the strike, but many truckers have gone on strike to protest, and there are toll-free phone numbers set up by truckers to voice their concerns.
The protest was triggered by a state law called AB5, which would make truckers independent contractors, or independent contractors. The law would limit their employment, impose red tape, and increase their costs. Independent truckers say the law is designed to put them out of business. AB5 has been challenged in court, but it is not yet in effect. The truckers plan to continue the strike until the law is enforced.
The protests are disrupting Michigan’s economy and affecting businesses that rely on trucking services. They have also blocked the Ambassador Bridge, a key land border crossing, causing major traffic backups. In response, Ottowa, Michigan mayor Jim Watson declared a state of emergency.
What are Truckers Protesting in DC?
A trucker convoy is expected to arrive in Washington, DC, over the weekend to protest the COVID-19 mandate. Inspired by a recent convoy in Canada, the California truckers are organizing their own protest, aiming to make the government reverse its decision on the mandate. The convoy will begin its journey from Adelanto Stadium in Southern California, and make at least 10 stops before reaching the Beltway. Stops will include Ohio, Hagerstown, Maryland, and more. The protesters are targeting a range of issues, including increased gas prices and inflation.
The convoy is composed of truckers, homemakers, plumbers, engineers, and nurses. The group also includes conservative lawmakers. The convoys blocked traffic for roughly 30 minutes, and one lane was left open for emergency vehicles. They are hoping to bring awareness about the issue and to make the government listen to their concerns about the national emergency.
The convoy is organized by several groups and has its own media system. Nearly two dozen live streamers are embedded with the protest. Each of them solicits donations from viewers, and they post videos that make their cause known. Some of them have as many as twelve thousand subscribers on YouTube.
What is the Reason For the Canada Blockade?
Protesters are targeting truckers who cross the border illegally. In addition to the truckers, the activists are addressing the government’s stance on vaccinations. In January, Canada announced new rules requiring truckers to be fully vaccinated to enter the country. These rules are being challenged by anti-vaxers and far-right activists. In an effort to prevent the new rules, the protesters began staging rallies.
However, these protests have been met with widespread condemnation from trucker unions and activists. They have called for the restriction to be lifted because most truckers in Canada have already been vaccinated against COVID-19. The industry, meanwhile, has said that the protests have failed to address the pressing issues facing truckers. The CTA, the truckers’ union, condemned the protests and said the industry needed to adapt to the new mandate.
However, tensions over the protests continue to simmer and could even escalate again. Hundreds of people have gathered in downtown Ottawa, closed three border crossings, and paralyzed Ottawa for the past two weeks. In a recent poll, the Angus Reid Institute – a non-profit research organization – found that 72% of Canadian respondents backed the protesters’ decision to return home. However, 44% of Canadians favored the government’s policy of mandating mask wear for truckers, while 21% opposed it.
Why are Truckers Protesting in Colorado?
The trucker movement has been gaining momentum since videos of trucks stuck at the state border circulated on social media. The drivers are protesting the sentencing of Rogel Aguilera-Mederos, a truck driver sentenced to 110 years in prison after causing a deadly truck pileup in April. Hundreds of thousands of people have signed the petition to release Aguilera-Mederos from prison.
The truckers are not only refusing to deliver their cargo in Colorado, but they are also calling for the state to commute Aguilera-Mederos’ sentence. The Houston truck driver killed four people in a pileup in April and seriously injured six others. These tragedies have led to a trucker-led movement to boycott the state. With a hashtag “NoTrucksToColorado,” the group is asking other drivers to avoid driving through Colorado as a sign of protest.
A series of viral videos has emerged showing lines of truckers refusing to enter Colorado. The truckers claim that they are protesting the sentence handed down to Rogel Aguilera-Mederos, a trucker who killed a car driver. The driver has been sentenced to 110 years in prison, but the outcry has spread across the country. Truck drivers have posted videos of their experiences being stopped at the state border, and they have begun to coordinate their strikes.
How Many Trucks are in the Convoy to DC?
The convoy’s organizers say they are planning a peaceful transcontinental trip, stopping in Washington without going into the city. The goal is to raise awareness and promote the reopening of the country. The convoy is currently circling the Capital Beltway at 45 to 55 mph. It is divided into two separate convoys, each consisting of dozens of trucks.
The trucks will make several stops along the way. The first was in Scranton, Pa., where the convoy was expected to begin at 8 a.m. The group was supposed to meet up with 25 trucks near Pittson, Pa., but a flat tire delayed their departure. The convoy is expected to make three stops along the way.
The convoy’s exact destination is unclear, but it could snarl traffic and block access to the nation’s capital. The federal government and other state authorities are reportedly paying close attention to the convoy. It has prompted organizers to modify the demands of the convoy. One participant has said that he would drive his truck into the heart of America’s capital if necessary.
Do Us Truckers Have to Be Vaccinated?
The government is considering a new vaccine requirement for truck drivers. It is already a requirement in other industries, including airlines. However, the proposed mandate for truckers in Canada is raising concerns. Proponents of the bill say it will protect the supply chain and lower freight costs.
However, the government is not yet sure what this new rule will mean. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has updated its FAQ to clarify that the new requirement for vaccination isn’t a mandatory requirement. Solo truckers would not fall under the mandate, says ATA President and CEO Chris Spear.
The new mandate doesn’t cover all truck drivers, however. Some are exempt, such as those who only work in their own cabs and don’t interact with customers. Truckers also don’t have to be vaccinated if they work alone in the cab or solely outdoors. However, if they work in teams and interact with people in buildings, then the new mandate will apply to them as well.
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