Trucker convoys opposing COVID-19 mandates hit US roads on way to D.C.
ADELANTO, Calif. (AP) — A small convoy of truckers demanding an end to coronavirus mandates began a cross-country drive from California to the Washington, D.C., area on Wednesday.
Several hundred people rallied in a parking lot in the cold, windswept Mojave Desert town of Adelanto before about two dozen trucks and a number of other vehicles hit the road. It wasn’t clear how many intended to go all the way.
“To the truck drivers around the world: Now is your time to stand up. Now is your time to usher in a renaissance time of freedom,” truck driver and event organizer Brian Brase told the rally. “Do not bow down.”
Convoy vehicles carried signs with slogans such as “Legalize freedom” and “Let them breathe.”
It was one of several U.S. convoys organized online and modeled on the recent Canadian truckers’ protests that shut down U.S.-Canadian border crossings and besieged the streets of the capital, Ottawa, for weeks. The convoys all have different starting points, departure dates and routes. Full story here:
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PHOTO GALLERY
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Trucker convoys opposing COVID-19 mandates hit US roads on way to D.C.Nathan Howard
Supporters buy merchandise at the beginning of a trucker caravan to Washington, D.C., called The People's Convoy Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, in Adelanto, Calif. A small convoy of truckers demanding an end to coronavirus mandates began a cross-country drive from California to the Washington, D.C., area on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)
Nathan HowardSupporters buy merchandise at the beginning of a trucker caravan to Washington, D.C., called The People's Convoy Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, in Adelanto, Calif. A small convoy of truckers demanding an end to coronavirus mandates began a cross-country drive from California to the Washington, D.C., area on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)
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Trucker convoys opposing COVID-19 mandates hit US roads on way to D.C.Nathan Howard
Jeff Cassil waves two American flags from the roof of his car at the beginning of a trucker caravan to Washington, D.C., called The People's Convoy Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, in Adelanto, Calif. A small convoy of truckers demanding an end to coronavirus mandates began a cross-country drive from California to the Washington, D.C., area on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)
Nathan HowardJeff Cassil waves two American flags from the roof of his car at the beginning of a trucker caravan to Washington, D.C., called The People's Convoy Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, in Adelanto, Calif. A small convoy of truckers demanding an end to coronavirus mandates began a cross-country drive from California to the Washington, D.C., area on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)
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Trucker convoys opposing COVID-19 mandates hit US roads on way to D.C.Nathan Howard
Supporters cheer on the beginning of a trucker caravan to Washington, D.C., called The People's Convoy on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, in Adelanto, Calif. A small convoy of truckers demanding an end to coronavirus mandates began a cross-country drive from California to the Washington, D.C., area on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)
Nathan HowardSupporters cheer on the beginning of a trucker caravan to Washington, D.C., called The People's Convoy on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, in Adelanto, Calif. A small convoy of truckers demanding an end to coronavirus mandates began a cross-country drive from California to the Washington, D.C., area on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)
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Trucker convoys opposing COVID-19 mandates hit US roads on way to D.C.Nathan Howard
Supporters listen to organizers talk about the upcoming trucker caravan to Washington, D.C.,called The People's Convoy Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, in Adelanto, Calif. A small convoy of truckers demanding an end to coronavirus mandates began a cross-country drive from California to the Washington, D.C., area on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)
Nathan HowardSupporters listen to organizers talk about the upcoming trucker caravan to Washington, D.C.,called The People's Convoy Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, in Adelanto, Calif. A small convoy of truckers demanding an end to coronavirus mandates began a cross-country drive from California to the Washington, D.C., area on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)
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Trucker convoys opposing COVID-19 mandates hit US roads on way to D.C.Nathan Howard
A truck driver signs an American flag at the beginning of a trucker caravan to Washington, D.C., called The People's Convoy on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, in Adelanto, Calif. A small convoy of truckers demanding an end to coronavirus mandates began a cross-country drive from California to the Washington, D.C., area on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)
Nathan HowardA truck driver signs an American flag at the beginning of a trucker caravan to Washington, D.C., called The People's Convoy on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, in Adelanto, Calif. A small convoy of truckers demanding an end to coronavirus mandates began a cross-country drive from California to the Washington, D.C., area on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)
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Trucker convoys opposing COVID-19 mandates hit US roads on way to D.C.Nathan Howard
Supporters cheer on a trucker caravan heading toward Washington D.C. to protest COVID-19 mandates on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, in Needles, Calif. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)
Nathan HowardSupporters cheer on a trucker caravan heading toward Washington D.C. to protest COVID-19 mandates on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, in Needles, Calif. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)
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Trucker convoys opposing COVID-19 mandates hit US roads on way to D.C.Nathan Howard
Supporters donate cash to organizers of a trucker caravan to Washington, D.C., called The People's Convoy Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, in Adelanto, Calif. A small convoy of truckers demanding an end to coronavirus mandates began a cross-country drive from California to the Washington, D.C., area on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)
Nathan HowardSupporters donate cash to organizers of a trucker caravan to Washington, D.C., called The People's Convoy Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, in Adelanto, Calif. A small convoy of truckers demanding an end to coronavirus mandates began a cross-country drive from California to the Washington, D.C., area on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)
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Trucker convoys opposing COVID-19 mandates hit US roads on way to D.C.Nathan Howard
A supporter walks past a mannequin of Uncle Sam at the beginning of a trucker caravan to Washington, D.C., called The People's Convoy Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, in Adelanto, Calif. A small convoy of truckers demanding an end to coronavirus mandates began a cross-country drive from California to the Washington, D.C., area on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)
Nathan HowardA supporter walks past a mannequin of Uncle Sam at the beginning of a trucker caravan to Washington, D.C., called The People's Convoy Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, in Adelanto, Calif. A small convoy of truckers demanding an end to coronavirus mandates began a cross-country drive from California to the Washington, D.C., area on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)
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Trucker convoys opposing COVID-19 mandates hit US roads on way to D.C.Nathan Howard
A supporter walks past cars as they join the trucker caravan to Washington, D.C., called The People's Convoy Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, in Adelanto, Calif. A small convoy of truckers demanding an end to coronavirus mandates began a cross-country drive from California to the Washington, D.C., area on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)
Nathan HowardA supporter walks past cars as they join the trucker caravan to Washington, D.C., called The People's Convoy Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, in Adelanto, Calif. A small convoy of truckers demanding an end to coronavirus mandates began a cross-country drive from California to the Washington, D.C., area on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)
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Trucker convoys opposing COVID-19 mandates hit US roads on way to D.C.Nathan Howard
Supporters listen to organizers talk about the upcoming trucker caravan to Washington, D.C. called The People's Convoy on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, in Adelanto, Calif. A small convoy of truckers demanding an end to coronavirus mandates began a cross-country drive from California to the Washington, D.C., area on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)
Nathan HowardSupporters listen to organizers talk about the upcoming trucker caravan to Washington, D.C. called The People's Convoy on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, in Adelanto, Calif. A small convoy of truckers demanding an end to coronavirus mandates began a cross-country drive from California to the Washington, D.C., area on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)
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Trucker convoys opposing COVID-19 mandates hit US roads on way to D.C.Nathan Howard
Supporters cheer on the beginning of a trucker caravan to Washington, D.C., called The People's Convoy Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, in Adelanto, Calif. A small convoy of truckers demanding an end to coronavirus mandates began a cross-country drive from California to the Washington, D.C., area on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)
Nathan HowardSupporters cheer on the beginning of a trucker caravan to Washington, D.C., called The People's Convoy Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, in Adelanto, Calif. A small convoy of truckers demanding an end to coronavirus mandates began a cross-country drive from California to the Washington, D.C., area on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)
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Trucker convoys opposing COVID-19 mandates hit US roads on way to D.C.Nathan Howard
Supporters listen to organizers talk about the upcoming trucker caravan to Washington, D.C., called The People's Convoy Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, in Adelanto, Calif. A small convoy of truckers demanding an end to coronavirus mandates began a cross-country drive from California to the Washington, D.C., area on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)
Nathan HowardSupporters listen to organizers talk about the upcoming trucker caravan to Washington, D.C., called The People's Convoy Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, in Adelanto, Calif. A small convoy of truckers demanding an end to coronavirus mandates began a cross-country drive from California to the Washington, D.C., area on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)
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Trucker convoys opposing COVID-19 mandates hit US roads on way to D.C.Nathan Howard
Supporters prepare to follow a trucker caravan to Washington, D.C., called The People's Convoy Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, in Adelanto, Calif. A small convoy of truckers demanding an end to coronavirus mandates began a cross-country drive from California to the Washington, D.C., area on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)
Nathan HowardSupporters prepare to follow a trucker caravan to Washington, D.C., called The People's Convoy Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, in Adelanto, Calif. A small convoy of truckers demanding an end to coronavirus mandates began a cross-country drive from California to the Washington, D.C., area on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)
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Trucker convoys opposing COVID-19 mandates hit US roads on way to D.C.Nathan Howard
A supporter loads a mural into his van at the beginning of a trucker caravan to Washington, D.C., called The People's Convoy on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, in Adelanto, Calif. A small convoy of truckers demanding an end to coronavirus mandates began a cross-country drive from California to the Washington, D.C., area on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)
Nathan HowardA supporter loads a mural into his van at the beginning of a trucker caravan to Washington, D.C., called The People's Convoy on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, in Adelanto, Calif. A small convoy of truckers demanding an end to coronavirus mandates began a cross-country drive from California to the Washington, D.C., area on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)
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Trucker convoys opposing COVID-19 mandates hit US roads on way to D.C.Sean Simmers
A Pennsylvania truck protest convoy bound for the nations' capital organized by Scranton-area towing business owner Bob Bolus drives down I-83 South Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022 in Lemoyne, Pa.. A small convoy of truckers demanding an end to coronavirus mandates began a cross-country drive from California to the Washington, D.C., area on Wednesday. (Sean Simmers/The Patriot-News via AP)
Sean SimmersA Pennsylvania truck protest convoy bound for the nations' capital organized by Scranton-area towing business owner Bob Bolus drives down I-83 South Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022 in Lemoyne, Pa.. A small convoy of truckers demanding an end to coronavirus mandates began a cross-country drive from California to the Washington, D.C., area on Wednesday. (Sean Simmers/The Patriot-News via AP)
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Trucker convoys opposing COVID-19 mandates hit US roads on way to D.C.Sean Simmers
A Pennsylvania truck protest convoy bound for the nations' capital drives down I-83 South Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022 in Lemoyne, Pa.. A small convoy of truckers demanding an end to coronavirus mandates began a cross-country drive from California to the Washington, D.C., area on Wednesday. (Sean Simmers/The Patriot-News via AP)
Sean SimmersA Pennsylvania truck protest convoy bound for the nations' capital drives down I-83 South Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022 in Lemoyne, Pa.. A small convoy of truckers demanding an end to coronavirus mandates began a cross-country drive from California to the Washington, D.C., area on Wednesday. (Sean Simmers/The Patriot-News via AP)
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Trucker convoys opposing COVID-19 mandates hit US roads on way to D.C.Nathan Howard
John Hiickman cheers on a convoy of truckers heading toward Washington D.C. to protest COVID-19 mandates on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, in Needles, Calif. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)
Nathan HowardJohn Hiickman cheers on a convoy of truckers heading toward Washington D.C. to protest COVID-19 mandates on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, in Needles, Calif. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)
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Trucker convoys opposing COVID-19 mandates hit US roads on way to D.C.Nathan Howard
Supporters cheer on a trucker caravan as it pulls off the highway for the night while heading toward Washington D.C. to protest COVID-19 mandates on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, in Kingman, Ariz. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)
Nathan HowardSupporters cheer on a trucker caravan as it pulls off the highway for the night while heading toward Washington D.C. to protest COVID-19 mandates on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, in Kingman, Ariz. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)
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Trucker convoys opposing COVID-19 mandates hit US roads on way to D.C.Nathan Howard
Supporters cheer on a trucker caravan as it pulls off the highway for the night while heading toward Washington D.C. to protest COVID-19 mandates on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, in Kingman, Az. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)
Nathan HowardSupporters cheer on a trucker caravan as it pulls off the highway for the night while heading toward Washington D.C. to protest COVID-19 mandates on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, in Kingman, Az. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)
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Trucker convoys opposing COVID-19 mandates hit US roads on way to D.C.Nathan Howard
Supporters cheer on stragglers from a trucker caravan and other drivers while the convoy heads toward Washington D.C. to protest COVID-19 mandates on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, in Needles, Calif. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)
Nathan HowardSupporters cheer on stragglers from a trucker caravan and other drivers while the convoy heads toward Washington D.C. to protest COVID-19 mandates on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, in Needles, Calif. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)
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Trucker convoys opposing COVID-19 mandates hit US roads on way to D.C.Nathan Howard
A trailer with the words "Freedom! No Mandate" on its back window travels with a trucker caravan heading toward Washington D.C. to protest COVID-19 mandates on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, near Needles, Calif. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)
Nathan HowardA trailer with the words "Freedom! No Mandate" on its back window travels with a trucker caravan heading toward Washington D.C. to protest COVID-19 mandates on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, near Needles, Calif. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)
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Trucker convoys opposing COVID-19 mandates hit US roads on way to D.C.Nathan Howard
Supporters watch from a side road as a trucker caravan passes while heading toward Washington D.C. to protest COVID-19 mandates on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, near Needles, Calif. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)
Nathan HowardSupporters watch from a side road as a trucker caravan passes while heading toward Washington D.C. to protest COVID-19 mandates on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, near Needles, Calif. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)
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Trucker convoys opposing COVID-19 mandates hit US roads on way to D.C.Nathan Howard
Kevin Clark and his service dog Chip sit around a fire after the The People's Convoy stopped for the night on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, in Kingman, Ariz. Clark said he's making the drive to Washington D.C. because he feels elected officials are ignoring the constitution. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)
Nathan HowardKevin Clark and his service dog Chip sit around a fire after the The People's Convoy stopped for the night on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, in Kingman, Ariz. Clark said he's making the drive to Washington D.C. because he feels elected officials are ignoring the constitution. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)