Trucker Convoys Plan Protest On Capital Beltway, Stop In MD

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — Local police are planning for the arrival of truck convoys headed to Washington, D.C. later this week. Bob Bolus, who owns a truck parts and towing company in Scranton, Pa., said in an interview with Fox5 that the group plans to shut down the Capital Beltway in protest of COVID-19 mandates, fuel prices and immigration.

"I'll give you an analogy of that of a giant boa constrictor," Bolus said in the interview. "That basically squeezes you, chokes you, and it swallows you, and that's what we're going to do."

When Fox5 asked about safety risks and people’s ability to travel to work and home, Bolus said they would accommodate emergency vehicles.

"There will be a lane open for emergency vehicles; they'll be able to get in and out and all that," Bolus said to the Fox5 reporter. "We will not compromise anybody's safety or health, one way or the other. As far as if they can't get to work? Geez, that's too bad."

The People's Convoy, a collection of truckers protesting COVID-19 mandates, is planning a cross-country trip from California to Washington, D.C., and plans to arrive on March 5, according to the website. This group said it will not go into the D.C. proper, but will be in the surrounding area.

The group will stop in Hagerstown on March 4, according to the schedule.

Maryland State Police said it is aware of the truckers’ plans and is monitoring developments.

“State Police are coordinating with public safety partners in neighboring states and will be ready to respond appropriately with adequate resources to ensure the free flow of traffic throughout the routes of travel,” said Maryland State Police in a statement distributed via the governor’s office.

Truckers in Ottawa protested vaccine mandates in Canada for more than three weeks, ending in 200 arrests and 60 vehicles towed, New York Magazine reported.

D.C. police are putting 500 officers on civil disturbance units every day starting Wednesday in anticipation of protests, Fox5 reported.

"There will be disruptions to traffic, that kind of thing," said Chief Robert Contee. "I think we need to be very candid with the public about some of the expectations based upon what we've seen in Ottawa."

Related: National Guard Deployed As DC, NoVA Prepare For Trucker Protests