Police shut down streets as trucker convoy rolls into D.C. for the first time
On Monday, police shut down streets as a convoy of truckers made their way toward downtown Washington, D.C.
After many days of doing laps on the Capital Beltway, the “People’s Convoy” are reportedly making their way into the D.C. area via I-395 in Arlington.
ICYMI: Heavy Traffic Congestion along Northbound VA-395 thru Northbound DC-395 to Southbound DC-295 to Northbound MD-495 due to the Trucker Convoy from Hagerstown, MD
🚗Watch for Authorities directions— DC Police Traffic (@DCPoliceTraffic) March 14, 2022
The Washington D.C. Police Department responded by issuing a traffic alert warning that due to demonstration activity on I-395, I-695, and I-295, motorists should expect traffic delays. Police also alerted drivers to the fact that they have closed a number of streets and highway exits “to keep traffic moving safely through the area.”
Video captured near the Pentagon shows the convoy. You can hear convoy participants blasting their horns amid slowed traffic on I-395.
Watch: It’s been extremely noisy. @DCPoliceDept shut down 14th St & 12th St. access, slowing I-395 before the convoy’s arrival. Still slowly passing my location near the Pentagon. @ARLnowDOTcom @WTOPtraffic @WTOP #TruckersConvoy2022 #traffic #vatraffic pic.twitter.com/61yLgQOmhB
— Dave Statter (@STATter911) March 14, 2022
After a more than a week of circling DC, it looks like the Trucker Convoy has finally decided to enter the District. Here’s a @VaDOT camera of stalled traffic, NB into DC, on 395. (@wusa9) pic.twitter.com/d5o7gufLy7
— John Henry (@JohnHenryWUSA) March 14, 2022
Trucker convoy currently on 395/695 @PoPville @WTOPtraffic Expect traffic delays pic.twitter.com/eUaZZr2Hjq
— Anna Costanzo (Mahalak) (@annamarieDC) March 14, 2022
HONKING HORNS | A truck convoy is making noise as they drive along DC highways, adding to the traffic gridlock
READ MORE –> https://t.co/fBSKyjltXB pic.twitter.com/NRijOpDusJ
— 7News DC (@7NewsDC) March 14, 2022
The Washington Post reports that the group previously submitted a request for a permit to demonstrate at the National Mall for two weeks, but the request was denied.
Last week, Senator Ted Cruz joined the lead truck in the People’s Convoy in a gesture of support for the group, who are pushing to remove COVID-19 related mandates.