At least two factions of the People’s Convoy set out for Washington today, but the actual number of truckers participating is yet to be seen.
While it is known that two separate yet related convoys set out from both Adelanto, California and Scranton, Pennsylvania on Wednesday, February 23rd, there have been multiple discrepancies in media coverage regarding the actual number of truckers participating.
According to ABC 13, Bob Bolus, organizer of the Scranton convoy, told reporters that somewhere around 20 semi trucks were ready to join the convoy. However, both Reuters and Rolling Stone reported that only one semi truck was participating out of Scranton. The Guardian also reported that the Scranton convoy “consisted of a tractor-trailer rig, a dump truck and a handful of pickup trucks.” The Scranton protest initially intended to block the DC Beltway, but even Bolus told reporters that the alleged 20 participating rigs was not enough to warrant such a protest.
We’re not going to camp there. Let me put it that way,” Bolus said to ABC 7. “We’re not camping on the Beltway. We’re gonna have our voices heard and let them understand this is only the tip of the iceberg.”
NEW: I just got off the phone with Bob Bolus. He told me there are currently 10 to 20 trucks staging at the convoy starting point in Scranton, Pa.
— Kevin Lewis (@KevinLewis7News) February 23, 2022
Bolus said that's not enough trucks to warrant a DC Beltway protest. Bolus will make a final determination within the next hour. pic.twitter.com/i7EuHaoWI2
DC trucker convoy update from Scranton, PA:
— Julio-César Chávez (@JulioCesrChavez) February 23, 2022
There is currently only one truck in the convoy. Organizer Bob Bolus said they expected more people to join, and will call off the convoy if others don’t show up
Convoy was scheduled to leave an hour and 45 minutes ago pic.twitter.com/1IyQ3Nrv3O
Truck driver Bob Bolus and several pickup trucks pulled off at truck stop north of Harrisburg on their way from Scranton to Baltimore-D.C Beltway. They’re protesting high gas prices and mandates, masks to vaccines. Convoy of truckers didn’t materialize on 81. @WGAL pic.twitter.com/1MTW5BimvT
— BarbaraBarrWGAL (@BarbaraBarrWGAL) February 23, 2022
I was with Betsy, one of the organizers, when she said on the phone to another reporter there were 30 trucks/vehicles in the convoy.
— Julio-César Chávez (@JulioCesrChavez) February 23, 2022
This is false. The convoy has never broken above 15 vehicles.
They’ve lost some during the pit stop, looks like 1 18w, 1 SUV, 4 pickup trucks pic.twitter.com/Zi44pb8Cef
Meanwhile, at the ‘main’ People’s Convoy out of Adelanto, Rolling Stone reported “probably a couple hundred people milling about, but maybe a dozen semis,” while Reuters reported “more than two dozen 18-wheeler trucks, along with some 50 pickups and recreational vehicles,” rolling out of Adelanto today. At the same time, the New York Times reported 40 semi trucks participating in the convoy.
“We believe tens of thousands will join in,” said Brian Brase, head of the Adelanto convoy. “We plan to stay [in D.C.] a while and hope they don’t escalate it the way Trudeau did with his disgusting government overreach.”
A quick update on the primary American trucker convoy:
— Ben Collins (@oneunderscore__) February 23, 2022
The major route shared on Telegram is set to take off from a parking lot in Adelanto, California in a few minutes.⁰
There are probably a couple hundred people milling about, but maybe a dozen semis. pic.twitter.com/mmcm0oQpdl
According to the People’s Convoy Facebook page, the convoy out of Adelanto will be stopping at Great American Pizza and Subs at 6775 Highway 68 in Golden Valley, AZ on Wednesday evening. So far, that Facebook page shows what appears to be considerable support from citizens on the sidelines, but the numbers of trucks actually rolling is unclear.
If you or anyone you know has first-hand information or footage of the current trucker convoys, please feel free to contact CDLLife at [email protected]