‘People's Convoy’ COVID mandate protest draws a crowd of supporters in Amarillo

On Saturday afternoon, crowds gathered holding signs and flags on sections of Interstate 40 in Amarillo to cheer on a group of truckers and supporters billing themselves as the “People’s Convoy” as the group made a stop near the Starlight Ranch.

The convoy departed a parking lot outside of Adelanto Stadium in California on Wednesday and planned to arrive somewhere in the vicinity of Washington, D.C. around March 5. The group has made various stops on its trip to promote its protest against COVID-19 vaccine and mask mandates.

Brian Brase, a co-organizer of the convoy, spoke about his group's aims while greeting supporters in Amarillo.

“We want to end the state of emergency; there is no emergency," Brase said. “ With that, we want an end to vaccine and mask mandates immediately. We want to hold our officials accountable through bipartisan Congressional investigations into the pandemic's origins and the federal and state government's response to handling the pandemic."

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Brase said the response to his convoy has been welcoming at each location it has traveled through so far. He said the group feels the government has overstepped its authority in its response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He could not estimate how many vehicles were in his convoy but said the group had grown since leaving California.

One convoy member that identified himself as Neil A. said he has been with the convoy in his SUV since its departure in California. He spoke about how COVID-19 restrictions have impacted his lifestyle.

Neil spoke out against the CDC said he believes the governmental organization gave out misinformation about COVID-19.

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“We have to stop these mandates,” Neil said. “I do not care if people get vaccinated; just do not force me to get vaccinated. We need to figure out why the CDC is giving us bad information. Do not make us healthy people get vaccines.”

Throughout the pandemic, the CDC has had its detractors for its information on the pandemic. Conspiracy theories abound how the CDC has rejected unproven treatments such as Ivermectin and opponents debate the efficacy of the current vaccine. Multiple studies and leadership of area hospitals have shown data that the vaccine has effectively reduced the need for hospitalization compared to unvaccinated individuals.

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Members of the convoy say they have no plans to shut down traffic at any point, but were very vague about the plan once the group arrived in the D.C. area. Neil stated concern that Biden will take credit for ending mandates at the State of the Union Address, set for 8 p.m. Tuesday.

He believes pressure from groups like the convoy are the reason for an end to the mandates.

Gene and Cheryl Cordeniz awaited the convoy near Starlight Ranch, describing themselves as staunch supporters of the effort.

Gene Cordeniz, like many at the rally, said he did not know precisely what the convoy was about, but equated it with standing up for freedoms. His wife, Cheryl, was better informed on the convoy and felt that the group was standing up for the people.

“They are the only ones standing up for us; they are the only ones listening to us," Cheryl Codeniz said. “D.C. does not care about us.”

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When asked if they felt the convoy and its ambitions were somewhat late to the issue of mandates, the couple said they thought it was the right time for this to happen.

Senate District 31 candidate Tim Reid was on hand to show his support for the convoy.

“As these truckers are showing support for their brother and sister truckers in Canada and what America stands for with our freedom and self-governance; I think it was important to support them,” Reid said. “ Truckers move America, so when you look at what they symbolize, they are all of us. They feel that their freedoms are being trampled on.”

While the convoy stop had been billed as a non-partisan-event, there was a wide arrange of Trump-themed merchandise and clothing along with expletive-filled or implied merchandise referring to the current president. Reid weighed in on the possible mixed messaging.

“That is what makes America special," she said. "You can have every color out here, every stripe of Democrat, Republican - whoever is out here can express themselves as they wish. We do not want to stifle whatever that person's brand is. We need to embrace each other’s differences in opinion."

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: ‘People's Convoy’ protesting COVID mandates stops in Amarillo, TX