The People’s Convoy descended on the outskirts of D.C. on Sunday, making a lap around the beltway that was reportedly more than 60 miles long.
The group arrived in Hagerstown, Maryland on Friday, March 4th and hit the Beltway’s Outer Loop on Sunday, March 6th. The group is expected to make another lap on Monday, March 7th. The route was as follows according to the People’s Convoy Facebook page:
Route: From the Hagerstown Speedway, turn left onto Rt 40 to I-81s to I-70e to I-270s to I-495s.
We will loop the beltway 2 times and then drive back to Hagerstown Speedway from I-495 to I-270n to I-70w to I-81n to (exit 5b) to the AC&T truck stop to refuel. From there, we will drive I-81n one exit to Rt 40 (exit 6b) to the Hagerstown Speedway.
“Hey DC, if you weren’t sure how BIG we are, here’s your chance to take a look! Oh and PS, we are growing by the minute!!
“We will hold the line! YOU WORK FOR US!” the post reads.
NBC Washington reported that it took the length of the convoy 35 minutes just to pass by one spot near Clarksburg Premium Outlets, but participants at the scene reported conflicting information, stating that the convoy was clocked at 64 miles long.
“Here it’s mostly just people. Truckers are just the tip of the spear, there are maybe a couple hundred trucks, but there are RVs, minivans, cars, pickup trucks. I can tell you it is 64 miles long,” said a female participant at the protest in an interview with Ivory Hecker.
700 National Guard troops were stationed in DC to deal with the potential threat to the Capitol city, but only minor traffic disruptions were reported as a result of the convoy, which did not even enter D.C. proper and remained on the outskirts of the city.
According to WTOP News, the convoy is expected to make another lap along the same route on Monday, but as of 9:20 am EST the convoy was yet to be seen on D.C. highways.
Organizers initially intended to livestream the rally held in Hagerstown, but internet service is reportedly spotty in the area.
“The Internet may not be set up for that many people,” said Hecker in an interview with a convoy participant.
“Everywhere we’ve gone has been the warmest welcome,” said the participant. “There have only been about 7 overpasses that didn’t have people on them since we left California. We counted. …. Here it’s mostly just people. Truckers are just the tip of the spear, there are maybe a couple hundred trucks, but there are RVs, minivans, cars, pickup trucks. I can tell you it is 64 miles long.”
“Freedom is just freedom, it doesn’t know left or right and actually it gives us the freedom to be left or right.”
According to the People’s Convoy Facebook page, the purpose of the convoy is as follows:
“Americans love our freedoms and love the Constitution of The United States of America. This convoy aims to bring back our freedoms, our civil liberties, and bring an end to all unconstitutional mandates. This is about our rights, as well as the freedom of future generations. It’s not about political parties, but more-so about a government that has forgotten its place and has no regard for our founding fathers instructions.”
Check out some footage of the convoy and the interview by Hecker, below.