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Anti-vaccine-mandate protest in the works for US truckers, drivers claim

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Read the August 31, 2021 Update: Here’s what’s happening so far…

A trucker-founded anti-vaccine mandate protest is seemingly in the works for the end of this month according to several trucker social media groups. 

If carried out, the demonstration will be an alliance between healthcare workers, truckers, military members, and other citizens across the country, and will protest the requirement of the COVID-19 vaccine for employment, travel, and more. The demonstrators, seemingly headed by Tik Tok trucker @thedisrespectedtrucker3, will gather at various locations across the country August 31st – the same day that the Australian trucker protest against COVID lockdown and restrictions is being held. 

In addition to the nearly-viral Tik Tok videos put out by @disrespectedtrucker3, the Facebook Group StopTheTires2020, a group that attempted to organize a nationwide demonstration against the election results and COVID19 lockdowns just last year, has gotten wind of the potential strike and is calling for all drivers to stop their trucks for just one day. 

“When I say it’s not about the trucking industry, it’s not about the trucking industry,” disrespected trucker says. “We just have the power to shut the country down.”

https://www.tiktok.com/@thedisrespectedtrucker3/video/7000441143028714758?sender_device=pc&sender_web_id=6977378766805501445&is_from_webapp=v1&is_copy_url=0

“On August 31st, on Tuesday, we’re asking that everybody not go to work,” disrespected trucker explained.  “If they’re out on the road, shut your truck down. There are guys that plan on putting their trucks across the road. There’s guys who plan on parking on the side of the road, parking at home, and at truck stops.”

“I’m not telling anyone how to do it or what to do,” he continued.  

“I’m just telling people to shut your trucks down, and nobody go to work at least for Tuesday. Maybe for the rest of the week. Until we get their attention in DC, we’re going to have to keep putting up with bulls**t mandates. What’s going on with the nurses and the military right now isn’t right. So, we’re going to stand up for Freedom.”

https://www.tiktok.com/@thedisrespectedtrucker3/video/7000399097966382341?sender_device=pc&sender_web_id=6977378766805501445&is_from_webapp=v1&is_copy_url=0

Based on these sorts of videos, it would appear that bikers in Australia plan on joining the trucker protest on August 31st, and a few thousand medical workers in Minnesota also plan on holding their own demonstration. Additionally, regular citizens looking to join in are urged to stay home, not go to work, not buy anything, make signs, and protest in a very visible, public area. 

https://www.tiktok.com/@thedisrespectedtrucker3/video/7000469025910164742?sender_device=pc&sender_web_id=6977378766805501445&is_from_webapp=v1&is_copy_url=0

“I know that people are going to have to suffer over this, including myself,” disrespected trucker says in response to people’s concerns over supply chain disruptions as a result of the protests. “I don’t ever wanna make a decision or choice for somebody else and make them suffer for a decision that I make. However, we’ve protested numerous times. Me myself I’ve been to three state capitols, Washington DC, Joplin Missouri for a protest. We’ve tried. A lot of my friends have had meetings with senators, congressmen… We sat on Constitution Avenue in DC last year for three weeks. They don’t listen to us. We have to do this on August 31st so we can change things once and for all.”

https://www.tiktok.com/@thedisrespectedtrucker3/video/7000496073756200197?sender_device=pc&sender_web_id=6977378766805501445&is_from_webapp=v1&is_copy_url=0

“Are you guys going to stand firm this time or back down at the last second?” one StopTheTires2020 member questioned. 

“I am with you with this mandatory vaccine for us troops. Can’t wait to see their faces when I say no,” added another. 

In addition to details surrounding the protest, disrespected trucker offers some tips on how company drivers can participate in the protest without risking their job. 

https://www.tiktok.com/@thedisrespectedtrucker3/video/7000498261312195846?sender_device=pc&sender_web_id=6977378766805501445&is_from_webapp=v1&is_copy_url=0

“So when I first started this page, yes it was a place to shoot the sh*t about incoming policies,” wrote StopTheTires2020 founder, Jeremy Rewoldt. 

“I was called a fraud, a joke, you don’t know what you’re talking about, you’re just a conspiracy theorist. Well, I told you it was about future policies and how they would affect every American. Remember without any consumers all of us drivers are useless. Without us, products don’t get to the people. It’s a circle.”

“I have said it from the start it’s not about me. It’s not about you ( yes you reading this), it’s about every hard working American in this great country,” he continued. 

“It affects everyone. Our over regulations affect the people we serve. Our mandates affect everyone. I don’t care if you are fine with this regulation and not fine with some others.”

“Now do you believe me?” Rewoldt asked.

“Now is it time to wake the hell up?”

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