A major highway was brought to a crawl in Nova Scotia over the weekend as truckers protested vaccine mandates.
The convoy of trucks took to the roads near Enfield and rolled to the border with New Brunswick on Sunday.
Protestors said it was to highlight their rights and freedom of choice. Police were on the scene to monitor the situation and keep the peace.
It’s part of a larger movement in Canada called “Freedom Convoy 2022.” Truckers have hit the roads to bring the protest to Ottawa and are set to arrive on Saturday.
They’re protesting the government’s introduction of a vaccine mandate for big rig drivers earlier this month. The initiative was announced in November.
Truckers now have to be vaccinated to avoid a two-week quarantine when crossing the border from the United States. American drivers will be turned away at the border.
A GoFundMe has raised more than $3 million so far to help with the cost of the trip.
“We are taking our fight to the doorsteps of our Federal Government and demanding that they cease all mandates against its people,” the online fundraising campaign says. “It’s our duty as Canadians to put an end to these mandates.”
The organizer says the funds will be used for fuel and lodgings for truckers during the trip.
People have been showing their support for the drivers, including in Yarmouth.
About 75 residents gathered in front of a provincial building on Starrs Road to show their solidarity.
The Canadian Trucking Alliance is condemning the move.
“The Canadian Trucking Alliance does not support and strongly disapproves of any protests on public roadways, highways, and bridges,” a news release says.
It recommends the truckers hold an organized event on Parliament Hill and not disrupt the travelling public.
