Canada Trucker Protests Explained: How 'Freedom Convoy' Became Symbol of Vaccine Resistance

Thousands of Canadian truckers and their supporters have descended on Ottawa to protest Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's COVID-19 vaccine mandates, bringing the country's capital to a standstill.

After a week-long drive across Canada a huge "Freedom Convoy" of big rigs arrived in Ottawa late on Friday afternoon, blocking roads and causing chaos in Canada's capital. Truckers are protesting a vaccine mandate for the industry brought in by Trudeau, whereby truckers will have to be vaccinated to cross the Canadian-U.S. border. Under the measures, which were implemented on January 15, unvaccinated cross-border truckers have to quarantine when returning home.

Upset with the new law, a coalition of truckers and conservative groups organized a national drive that began in Alberta. The convoy ended outside Parliament in Ottawa over the weekend. As the convoy drove east, it picked up support along the way.