For the past two weeks, hundreds of semi trucks self-dubbed the “Freedom Convoy” have occupied the capital of Canada in effort to disrupt the city in response to legislature that mandated cross-border truckers to be fully vaccinated to cross the border.
The protest may now be coming to the United States, and it’s planned to hit the country’s biggest sporting event – the Super Bowl.
According to NPR, the Department of Homeland Security says it has received reports that truck drivers across the nation are planning to blockade the big game and other major cities and events including the State of the Union address in Washington, D.C., on March 1.
The memo states that the demonstrations plan to “severely disrupt” traffic, emergency routes and federal government operations.
NPR says the group of truckers plans to start the protest in California and make its way across the U.S. to Washington, D.C., with more truckers joining along the way, the memo says.
“DHS is tracking reports of a potential convoy that may be planning to travel to several U.S. cities,” a department spokesperson told NPR. “We have not observed specific calls for violence within the United States associated with this convoy and are working closely with our federal, state and local partners to continuously assess the threat environment and keep our communities safe.”
Posts using the hashtags #ShutDownSuperBowl and #SuperBowlTrafficking have been popping up on Twitter, with posts not only rallying other truck drivers, but containing instructions on how other truckers could disrupt the Super Bowl’s security operations.
On Feb. 6, officials found a flyer posted online that said “Shut Down the Super Bowl,” with details of a “medical freedom demonstration” near SoFi Stadium on the day of the game, Feb. 13. The flyer also mentioned a truck convoy.
Screenshots of maps with directions from Los Angeles to D.C. were also posted, as well as recommendations to travel to Washington and state capitals. But as of now, the memo notes that law enforcement officials in Washington, D.C., have not seen an uptick in hotel bookings in the area for the potential protests.
Ahead of the Super Bowl this Sunday, DHS says it has dedicated more than 500 people to support security measures around the event. Around 70,000 people are expected to attend the game, according to DHS, and the protest is potentially planned for 12 p.m. local time in LA.
Some republican lawmakers are even showing support for the protests, with Arizona Senator Wendy Rodgers stating that it would be “payback” for Colin Kaepernick’s demonstrations.
US Senator Rand Paul even went as far as to outwardly show his support to the truckers.
