The People’s Convoy stopped accepting donations after raising nearly $ 1 million as the group, consisting of dozens of truck drivers and 100 other vehicles, flooded highways protesting COVID-19 mask and vaccine mandates during their trip. to Washington, DC this weekend.
Inspired by Canada‘s Convoy of freedom protest, the convoy began its 11-day transition from California to the nation’s capital on Wednesday and is expected to arrive in the District of Columbia on March 5.
On Friday, just three days after the march, the convoy raised more than $ 855,000 in cash donations, according to the protest website – almost twice the amount reported on Thursday.
But the amount remains the same on Saturday, as the website notes: “From Friday, 25.02.22 11:10 EST – donations are over.”
DailyMail.com contacted the organization for clarification.
The convoy left Russell’s truck stop in Glenrio, Texas – which crosses New Mexico and Lone Star State – on Saturday morning and is expected to pass through Austin between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Photos posted on social media and by convoy leader Mike Landis show the group, consisting of several dozen semi-trucks and other vehicles traveling east on I-40, spanning eight miles. Supporters built bridges and overpasses, waving flags and driving trucks to signal.
Truckers have called on President Joe Biden to end the national state of emergency, which was imposed at the start of the 2020 pandemic and extended again last week. The group, claiming that the threat posed by the coronavirus has already receded, is also seeking to end “unconstitutional” requirements for vaccines and masks.
However, almost every state in America has revoked or eased its indoor mask mandate, or set a date for it in the near future. The only detainee is Hawaii, the island nation that had the toughest mandates anywhere in the country during the pandemic.
In addition, only 19 states currently have valid vaccine mandates – but the mandates do not apply to all individuals and their requirements vary from country to country.
The convoy raised more than $ 855,000 in cash donations as of Friday, according to the protest’s website – but the donations appear to be over
Trucks from the People’s Convoy left Lupton, Arizona on Friday morning and headed for Texas, where they arrived on Saturday. The convoy then plans to be in Oklahoma – on its way to its destination – Washington, D.C., to protest against the mask mandates.
The popular convoy, which stretches for about eight miles, consists of approximately two dozen semi-trucks and about 100 other vehicles traveling east on I-40 near New Mexico on Friday. The next stop is Texas and then Oklahoma
This map shows the route of the people’s convoy from California to Washington
The convoy began its 11-day march from California to the nation’s capital on Wednesday, and despite a delay on Thursday, it is still expected to arrive in the District of Columbia on March 5, where it will be joined by about 25 other truck cavalcades.
The convoy left Glenrio, Texas on Saturday morning and is expected to pass through Austin, Texas between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
According to social media reports, supporters plan to use the 12th Street Bridge in Austin as a view to see the convoy move.
Photos posted by supporters of the route show people waving American flags standing on overpasses and children pumping their hands, prompting truck drivers to signal.
The convoy is expected to arrive in Elk City, Oklahoma on Saturday night for the night, and then head to Vinita, Oklahoma on Sunday.
Elk City police posted an update on Facebook, saying they were aware of the convoy’s arrival and warned residents of congestion in the area.
“Elk City Police, along with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, will work to ensure the safety of transportation and our visitors and citizens,” the statement said.
Despite the apparent success of the People’s Convoy, experts say truck convoys are not actually subject to coronavirus restrictions, especially since most states have already begun lifting them. All US states, except Hawaii, have either abolished or eased the mandate for indoor masks, or have set a date for this in the near future. Nineteen states currently have vaccine mandates in place
The popular convoy, which raised nearly $ 1 million in donations, flooded a highway in New Mexico on Friday (pictured) as many truck drivers protested against COVID-19 mask and vaccine mandates on the third day of their trip to Washington.
The convoy was greeted Friday morning by New Mexico residents standing on overpasses holding signs and waving American flags.
The convoy is expected to arrive in Elk City, Oklahoma on Saturday night for the night, then head to Vinita, Oklahoma on Sunday.
Although the California-based People’s Convoy will not arrive in the District of Columbia in time for Biden’s annual address on the state of the union on Tuesday, the eight-vehicle caravan – including a semi, four pickup, two sedan and SUV – will travel from Pennsylvania.
The Pentagon deployed 700 members of the National Guard in the capital before the convoys arrived.
The leader of the Pennsylvania convoy, Bob Bolus, vowed to close the ring road and other roads to and from the District of Columbia. He did not reveal how he intends to block traffic, but said he “will not create a traffic problem more than they live with every day.”
Unlike the Bolus and the Canadian Freedom Convoy, the People’s Convoy does not intend to violate roads or bridges. The organizers promised “100% safe, legal and peaceful travel”, which “will end near the DC area, but will NOT enter DC directly.”
“Many people have asked why we are doing this – what is your reason behind this. People want a defined, clear answer. They think it’s one thing, “said organizer Brian Braise, before the band left California.
“It simply came to our notice then. It’s about my future grandchildren. It’s about our families. It is about our country. It is about letting our government know that you are working for us.
The Pennsylvania convoy, led by Bob Bolus (pictured in his red semifinal on Wednesday), doesn’t seem as strong as the People’s Convoy. On its departure from Scranton on Wednesday, the motorcade had only eight vehicles. Bolus says there were once 50 passengers, but journalists following the convoy say “there have never been a dozen vehicles”
Supporters watched People’s Convoy trucks leave Lupton, Arizona earlier Friday morning. The group headed to Texas on its DC route
Protesters from the People’s Convoy are calling for the full opening of the country and must arrive in the District of Columbia on March 5th. They are pictured Friday morning leaving Lupton, Arizona
The convoy of people was greeted on Friday morning by New Mexico residents standing on overpasses with placards waving American flags.
The group, which was traveling to Texas for its next night stop, left Arizona after holding a rally with Myron Lizer, a Navajo vice president.
“I’m here to greet you.” I’m here to confess and accuse you, “he told the crowd. “Please, while you go out there, keep an eye out for what our creator is doing right now, but people are getting up. People are dissatisfied.
“So where are we ourselves in this whole political scheme?” Lizer asked.
He continued, praying for the convoy and giving a blessing before the drivers hit the road.
The people’s convoy received support along its route, according to Chris Young, who is the administrator of the group’s Facebook page.
After their first stop in Arizona, she took to Facebook, applauding citizens who lined the streets in honor of their arrival.
“We want to thank each of you for your support. Welcoming the Arizona overpasses and the Great American Pizza yesterday was absolutely amazing !! ‘ she wrote Thursday morning.
The convoy organizer also thanked Crazy Fred’s Truck Stop and Rebel Oil, both in Kingman, Arizona, for donating 25,000 gallons of fuel to the convoy.
She claims that shop workers brought fuel to the Great American Pizza and Sub, in the Golden Valley, where the convoy spent its first night on the road and refilled their vehicles.