The organizer of a truck convoy that is expected to show up in Washington, DC later this week says he also plans to have his convoy shut down the Capital Beltway.
Bob Belus, the organizer, told FOX 5 DC, "We will be along the Beltway where the Beltway will be shut down."
Belus, a truck parts and towing business owner in Scranton, Pennsylvania, says he plans to head to DC Wednesday morning then will go to the Capital Beltway.
A FOX interviewer asked Belus if he understood the impact of all of the commuters trying to get to and from work and about blocking emergency service vehicles.
"There will be a lane open for emergency vehicles, they'll be able to get in and out and all that. We will not compromise anybody's safety or health, one way or the other. As far as if they can't get to work, geez that's too bad," he told FOX 5 DC.
It's not clear how many other truckers Belus will have with him but claims "hundreds" have expressed interest in his plans.
Truckers in Canada shut down Ottawa, the capital of Canada over COVID-19 vaccination mandates, but Belus says he's protesting a wider range of issues including fuel prices, school vaccination requirements and immigration policy.
DC police are already preparing for protests later this week.
"There will be disruptions to traffic, that kind of thing. I think we need to be very candid with the public about some of the expectations based upon what we've seen in Ottawa," DC Police Chief Robert Contee said on Friday.
Virginia State Police also released the following statement:
"The Virginia State Police has been and continues to monitor the situation and to communicate with our National Capital Region local, state and federal partners. This is standard practice any time the potential exists for a significant protest that could disrupt the safe and efficient flow of traffic on Virginia highways."
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