The statement said, “Covid is well-in-hand now, and Americans need to get back to work in a free and unrestricted manner”
Supporters watch from an overpass as the ‘People’s Convoy’ of truckers drives to Washington, DC on Wednesday in California. Pic/AFP
A small convoy of truckers demanding an end to coronavirus mandates began a cross-country drive from California to the Washington, D.C., area on Wednesday.
ADVERTISEMENT
Several hundred people rallied in a parking lot in the cold, windswept Mojave Desert town of Adelanto before about two dozen trucks and a number of other vehicles hit the road. It wasn’t clear how many intended to go all the way. “To the truck drivers around the world: Now is your time to stand up. Now is your time to usher in a renaissance time of freedom,” truck driver and event organizer Brian Brase told the rally. “Do not bow down.”
Convoy vehicles carried signs with slogans such as “Legalize freedom” and “Let them breathe.” It was one of several U.S. convoys organized online and modelled on the recent Canadian truckers’ protests that shut down U.S.-Canadian border crossings and besieged the streets of the capital, Ottawa, for weeks. The convoys all have different starting points, departure dates and routes. A statement issued by organizers of the Adelanto group called it “The People’s Convoy” and said it was multicultural and nonpartisan, although there were Trump flags at the rally. The statement said, “Covid is well-in-hand now, and Americans need to get back to work in a free and unrestricted manner.”
Justin Trudeau revokes emergency powers
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Wednesday he is removing emergency powers police can use after authorities ended the blockades at the borders and the occupation in Ottawa by truckers and others opposed to Covid-19 restrictions. “The situation is no longer an emergency, therefore the federal government will be ending the use of the emergencies act,” Trudeau said. “We are confident that existing laws and bylaws are sufficient.”
Hong Kong starts vaccine requirement
Hong Kong launched a vaccination requirement to enter shopping malls, restaurants and a host of other places on Thursday as it battles an expanding omicron outbreak and tries to overcome vaccine hesitancy in parts of its population.
16,66,103
No. of new cases reported globally in the past 24 hours
42,66,24,859
Total no. of cases worldwide
58,99,578
Total no. of deaths worldwide
Source: WHO/Johns Hopkins
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever