The People’s Convoy was seen leaving Hagerstown, Maryland, Sunday morning with plans to drive around the Capital Beltway in protest of COVID-19 mandates.
“Beltway here we come,” said the group in a Facebook post. Vehicles will drive along the Hagerstown Speedway and in one lane of Interstate 81.
The Daily Caller reported that the convoy announced Saturday that it will be staying in the D.C. area until their demands are met.
Organizer Brian Base said “Hold the line, be patient, as we develop this plan going forward. We will not leave until we get what we asked for”.
The convoy arrived in Hagerstown on March 4 and was supposed to go to the D.C. Beltway on March 5, but decided last minute to stay in Hagerstown.
Organizers of the convoy said they plan to drive onto the Capital Beltway Sunday morning, circle the interstate twice, then return to Hagerstown.
Virginia State Police said “We continue to monitor this still-developing situation [and] emphasize [with] convoy organizers the importance of keeping traffic flowing safely [and] efficiently on Virginia highways”.
In a recent video, one organizer tells the convoy that they are staying in Maryland because a “trap” is waiting for them in D.C.
“They are waiting for us in D.C. and it’s a trap,” the organizer said. He noted that they will “try diplomacy” and if that doesn’t work, then they will “take the next step”.
Influenced by the Freedom Convoy truckers in Canada, multiple U.S. groups have made plans to head to D.C. in recent weeks.