Truckers Gather in California as 'People's Convoy' to Washington Begins

Semi-trucks, campers and other vehicles gathered in California’s San Bernardino County on Wednesday, February 23, to begin the so-called ’People’s Convoy’ journey to Washington to protest COVID-19 mandates.

The convoy was inspired by Canada’s ‘Freedom Convoy,’ which included weeks of demonstrations and blockades in Ottawa. The convoy from California is scheduled to arrive in Washington in early March, which coincides with President Biden’s State of the Union address.

Footage taken by Brendan Gutenschwager shows the scene at Adelanto Stadium as vehicles embark on the journey. Gutenschwager estimated that over a thousand vehicles were present at the start of the protest in Adelanto on Wednesday.

Additional National Guard personnel are due to be deployed in Washington as three separate convoys are scheduled to arrive, according to local media.

The People’s Convoy had raised over $460,000 in donations by Wednesday, according to its website. Credit: Brendan Gutenschwager via Storyful

Video Transcript

[BACKGROUND CHATTER] [MUSIC - TWISTED SISTER, "WE'RE NOT GONNA TAKE IT"] (SINGING) We're not gonna take it. Oh no, we ain't gonna take it. [HONKING] - God bless America. - [? That ?] [? is ?] [? even ?] [? 95 ?] right there. - [INAUDIBLE]. Let's really get this convoy on the road! [HONKING] Honk them horns, let everybody hear you! [HONKING] [MUSIC PLAYING] (SINGING) [INAUDIBLE] [? to ?] [? south ?] [? of ?] [? Back ?] [? Bay. ?] You're telling stories about the history of your [? homeland. ?] [? But ?] [? hit ?] [? like ?] a warrior, [? fight ?] like a brother. [INAUDIBLE] your country is going under. And all you want me to do is make things [? right. ?] [HONKING]