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Bloomberg
The Pentagon is making as many as 700 National Guard troops available to Washington law enforcement to keep traffic flowing if a threatened protest convoy of trucks clogs the already congested Beltway in coming days.
Social media users opposed to vaccine mandates have posted frequently about the so-called People’s Convoy, inspired by recent protests in Canada. But there is no official organisation sponsoring it, and the viability of an 11 day cross-country convoy is unclear and proposals for it have varied. The most prevalent suggests it would arrive near the nation’s capital March 5.
A website touting the event says it will not enter the District of Columbia proper. Rather, the final leg convoy will end on the Beltway in an effort to stop commerce in and out of Washington.
Guard members won’t be armed or authorised to make arrests, Defense Department spokesman John Kirby said in a statement. The assistance was requested by US Capitol Police, which is preparing for any disruption when Congress returns next week and President Joe Biden delivers his State of the Union address on March 1.
Through a multi-pronged Internet and social media presence organisers have released convoy routes, a trucker registration center and links for email updates.