'We are going all the way, whatever it takes': 'Freedom Convoy' makes its way through London, Ont.
Supporters showed up in droves, converging on highway overpasses and along roadways waving flags and signs, backing the 'Freedom Convoy' as it made its way through London, Ont. Thursday.
"We're just here to support the truckers, our freedom of choice, our freedom of rights,” said Jen Humphreys, who lined the Wellington Road overpass with her two daughters.
The group of truckers began a cross-country trip in British Columbia over the weekend and are headed to Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
"We are going all the way, whatever it takes, we have food fuel and everything, and a ton of support behind us - we mandate freedom, that's what this is all about,” said Felipe Wiebe, a truck driver for over 25 years.
The protest was initially organized in response to a new rule prohibiting unvaccinated truckers from crossing the border without quarantining.
But participants at the demonstrations say that it is also about various other policies that they say infringe on their freedoms.
"This is not about vaccines, it's about choice. I’m in a free country, I am a free man, so I can do whatever I want to,” said Gurtek Singh, an independent truck driver who joined the protest at the Flying J Travel Center in London.
"Unfortunately now we're being forced to either vaccinate or lose our jobs, and not be able to go to church, so we're just here, we're fighting for freedom and standing together like Canadians do,” said convoy supporter Linda Koopman.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau denounced the protest during a press conference Wednesday.
"Small fringe minority of people who are on their way to Ottawa, or are holding unacceptable views that they're expressing, do not represent the views of Canadians."
The Canadian Trucking Alliance has also made it clear that it has nothing to do with the protest.
Supporters also gathered at the Flying J, a gas station in London, Ont., waiting for the truck convoy to arrive.
"My great grandpa and my grandma fought for freedom in this country, and that's what Canada’s stood for and we've always fought for it for everybody else, so it's time to fight for it for us,” said Kelly Corneal, who came out with her parents to support truckers.
In social media posts, the Ontario Provincial Police warned drivers of potential delays along the major 400-series highways and issued alerts regarding emergency responders experiencing difficulty responding to calls.
Organizers say that the event in Ottawa will be peaceful and will follow all local laws, as Ottawa police plan for several days of protests.
As of Jan. 23, all non-Americans entering the United States at a land border must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including Canadian truckers.
- With files from CTV News Toronto
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A step forward': New screening criteria for sperm donors takes effect
Canadians looking to grow their families with the assistance of sperm or egg donations should soon have more options for donors as the federal health agency does away with longstanding restrictions criticized as discriminatory.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
Ippei Mizuhara, ex-interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani, pleads guilty in sports betting case
The former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani pleaded guilty to bank and tax fraud Wednesday in a sports betting case where prosecutors allege he stole US$16 million from the Japanese baseball player to pay off debts.
Steve Albini, legendary producer for Nirvana, the Pixies and an alternative rock pioneer, dies at 61
Steve Albini, an alternative rock pioneer and legendary producer who shaped the musical landscape through his work with Nirvana, the Pixies, PJ Harvey and more, has died. He was 61.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his head more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
Watch fighter jet pilots pummel fake enemy ship off coast of Philippines
The United States and Philippines held annual joint-training drills just off the Southeast Asian nation’s western coast on Wednesday. Military forces sunk a 'mock' enemy warship – the BRP Lake Caliraya, which was a decommissioned tanker made in China.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.