Freedom Keeps on Truckin'

A convoy going from Vancouver to Ottawa in protest

of yet another Covid rule has electrified and galvanized

Canada, while capturing the attention and the support

of many here in the United States. 

Canada's uber-lefty prime minister Justin Trudeau has

imposed or supported many Covid-19 mandates on

the Canadian people, certainly including cross-border 

truckers. But the most recent one, which he rammed 

through on January 15, was the straw that broke the 

camel's back. Prior to this imposition truck drivers and 

other workers which were deemed "essential" were
exempt from Canada's two-week quarantine for 

unvaccinated travelers coming over by land from the

U.S. The convoy was started as a reaction to this

measure.

The purpose of the convoy was to protest mandatory

vaccines for the truckers. At first, a small convoy started 

in or near Prince Rupert, British Columbia, on January 22.

Other convoys came to rendezvous and join that convoy

at various points along the way to Canada's capital city.

They, in time, formed a huge convoy.

Estimates of its size were anywhere from 500 to 1,150

vehicles; most of which were cars rather than trucks.

A GoFundMe campaign, relying on modest donations,

took in over $5 million Canadian dollars (around $4 million

U.S.) by January 25. Three days later, the total was C$7.5

million. Hoping to raise C$9 million, the convoy's campaign

raised that and more on January 30. One problem: Turns out 

that the GoFundMe people gave the money that was raised for

the truckers to some other causes and respective events --- 

all being of the left-wing variety. GFM is a lefty-established

organization, and although they don't forbid conservatives 

from using their web site to raise funds for their own causes,

GFM likes to make some mischief with their conservative

clientele. More on this in due course.

When the convoy reached Parliament Hill in Ottawa, roads 

were jammed beyond belief. Truck horns blared joyfully,

yet announcing an important mission. Thousands showed up,

either to watch the event unfold or to protest on either side 

of the issue. Most of the protests were peaceful, and most of 

the protesters backed the convoy.

Prime Minister Trudeau tried to smear the convoy as a "fringe

minority" with "unacceptable views". Just what was this 

ding-a-ling going to do, round them all up and arrest them

for expressing a point of view opposed to that of the Canadian

government? Some nutty elements admittedly were in the 

crowd, including someone with a flag bearing a swastika.

Some local statues were desecrated. But most of the protesters

were peaceful, respectable, everyday Canadians. Former

Conservative Party leader Andrew Scheer gave a speech in 

support of the truckers, and some members of his party were 

in attendance. The convoy also attracted support from the 

United States and Australia, the latter country chafing from 

Covid restrictions even harsher than Canada's. Former 

President Donald Trump gave a speech at the  rally, telling 

them "We're with you truckers all the way!". 

The restlessness, which has turned into frustration, which next 

turned into anger so that the Canadian people, cheered on by the

Americans, begat this convoy and the accompanying protests

nearby Canada's legislature. What better way to grab their 

national government's attention than to drive to their senate

en masse? 

After two years the Canadians and Americans have had more

than enough of their respective governments hemming them 

them in with myriad restrictions purportedly to stop the spread

of Covid-19, even after an increasing number of scientists and

doctors have found that these measures actually do very little 

or nothing of the sort. What might well have begun as legitimate

health safety and preservation measures have now become means 

of exercising raw power over the people of these countries,

and other countries elsewhere. And the people have caught on

and aren't having any more of it. 

Roll, Canadian truckers, roll!

MEM