Trucker Protest Congests Washington D.C.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Hundreds of truck drivers and other motorists who have held protests on the highways surrounding the city of Washington, D.C. made their way into the US capital on Monday, further congesting traffic at a demonstration against mandates imposed by the coronavirus pandemic and other issues.

The city's National Security and Emergency Management Agency issued a notice shortly before 2pm (local time) recommending motorists to postpone travel or use other transportation “due to the ongoing demonstration on I-395, I-695, and I-295.”

The Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police Department closed several streets and highway exits to prevent protesters from entering the city. “These road closures are taking place in real time as they become necessary,” the announcement reads.

The protesters, intermittently separated by the usual traffic, waved flags and blew their horns while driving. When asked why they were protesting, an unidentified couple whose vehicle had Montana license plates responded: “Freedom.”

Residents of the area tweeted the police department and several of the comments held city authorities and police responsible for the traffic jam due to the closure of exits.

The authorities issued a second warning about two and a half hours later in which they announced that the demonstration had ended and that the motorway exits had been reopened.

The truck drivers, some of whom traveled from California and Montana, have been in the metropolitan area of the city for more than a week. They drove from Hagerstown, Maryland, to the ring road that surrounds Washington to protest against COVID-19 vaccination mandates, as well as to express frustration over other issues.

Last week, the group's organizers met with Republican Senators Ted Cruz and Ron Johnson. Cruz joined them for a walk as they surrounded the Washington metropolitan area.