Cross-country trucker convoy over COVID mandates just outside DC, next move unclear

The U.S. trucker convoy – inspired by the recent Freedom Convoy in Canada over COVID-19 mandates – this weekend has gotten about 60 miles west of Washington, D.C., but as of Saturday afternoon organizers were reportedly non-committal about whether they would roll into the nation’s capital.

The convoy of pickup trucks, RVs, 18-wheelers and minivans that started in Southern California and that passed through Amarillo, Texas, is now in the western Maryland city of Hagerstown, according to news reports.

Many of the vehicles, about 1,000 in total, arrived through Friday and have assembled at a speedway.

Organizers of the so-called "People’s Convoy" have said they intend to stay in the area through Saturday to hold at least one night rally.  

But on Friday one organizer, Brain Brase, suggested a change in plans.

"We're going to do something," he said, according to The Washington Post. "What this is is yet to be determined. Please be patient." 

One reported plan was to target the region’s Beltway area, which surrounds the city and where they would meet with lawmakers.

However, a convoy participant reportedly said Friday on a YouTube live-stream that a "select trucks will be going to the White House," according to The Post.

National Park Service spokesman Mike Litterst told the newspaper Friday that no trucker-related convoy permit applications have been granted for the coming days. Large trucks are not allows on many District roads, and there are regulations on their operation, including how long they can idle, the newspaper also reports.