Hundreds of truckers and their allies gathered in southern California on Wednesday to protest transportation restrictions ahead of a planned convoy across the United States.
The organisers of "The People's Convoy," inspired by the weeks-long protests that paralysed Canada's cities, want to see an end to COVID-19 mask restrictions, vaccine requirements, and business closures.
In the small village of Adelanto, Bryan Brase, whose rig was near the front of the caravan, said, "Let's get back to normal."
"I believe everyone is here for different reasons, but it all boils down to the same thing: liberty and freedom," said Shane Class, who had travelled from Idaho to attend the protest.
"It's past time for our government to recognise that people want the freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution restored."
The caravan was scheduled to leave later Wednesday on an 11-day journey to the Washington, DC area, with an arrival date of March 5, though organisers stress they would not enter the city.
That guarantee hasn't stopped the National Guard from mobilising 700 troops to beef up security around the nation's capital, as authorities fear a repetition of the January 6, 2021 invasion of Congress by supporters of defeated president Donald Trump.
Guardsmen will not be armed and will not have the authority to arrest people, according to Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby. Instead, they will report wrongdoing to local police.
To limit access to critical areas, a number of huge vehicles, including snowplows and garbage trucks, have been stationed on the streets of the city.
The organisers of the convoy emphasise on their website that it is a nonpartisan movement that includes both Republicans and Democrats, yet there were plenty of flags in Adelanto indicating support for Trump.
Many of those with whom AFP spoke made arguments that are common among libertarians.
"I can no longer work at my facility, a big health organisation, without filing a religious exemption," one nurse in Los Angeles, who did not want to be identified, said.
"As a result, in order for me to provide for my family, I must invoke the holy and righteous name of Jesus."
According to the website, the campaign has received more than $450,000 in donations, which will be used to reimburse participating truckers for fuel and other expenses.
The Adelanto convoy is only one of many scheduled trucker gatherings around the country.
According to sources others are expected to leave Texas, North Dakota, Washington state, and Ohio in the coming days.
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