More than a week after Canadian truckers under the moniker ‘Freedom Convoy’ gathered in its capital Ottawa to protest the government’s COVID-19 restrictions and vaccine requirements, similar protests have gained momentum in the United States (US) and Australia that has prompted authorities to be on high alert.
On Tuesday, about 1,000 people gathered in front of Australia’s Parliament at Canberra to express their disapproval of vaccines, with protesters holding signs that read “Mandates are not law”, “Unconstitutional” and “Solidarity.” Protesters yelled various chants such as “Sack them all, sack them all,” and “We’ll wake them one at a time” calling for the removal of regional leaders and public health officials. The group of protesters, who were filled with far-right anti-vaxxers and conspiracy theorists called themselves “Convoy to Canberra,” similar to the Canadian one.
Kristina Keneally, an Australian Labor Party senator, accused the protesters of undermining democracy and warned that the protests contained individuals who are a threat to Australia’s national security. Craig Kelly, leader of the far-right United Australia Party, voiced his support for the demonstrations. Australia has one of the highest vaccination rates in the world, with almost 93% of the population being fully vaccinated.
Moreover, similar protests have erupted in New Zealand’s capital, Wellington, where thousands gathered on Tuesday opposing Prime Minister Jacinda Arden’s COVID-19 policy. Reportedly, many protesters also voiced their support for the former President of the United States (US) Donald Trump. 94% of New Zealand’s population is fully vaccinated.
Elsewhere in the US, the New York Times reported that support for an American version of Canada’s ‘Freedom Convoy’ was gaining popularity across various social media platforms such as Facebook and Telegram. American trucker Brian Brase announced on Tuesday that he is planning to drive from California to the US capital of Washington, without providing any information about the size of the convoy or other details. Facebook’s parent company Meta confirmed that it has removed several groups related to the convoy for violating platform guidelines.
According to Politico, Canada’s trucker convoy has inspired the global far-right, saying that in addition to Australia, New Zealand and the US, convoys are being planned in all 27 European Union (EU) countries, with some planning to drive to Brussels, the headquarters for many EU institutions.
Earlier this week, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau urged demonstrators to stop their occupation of Ottawa, accusing them of “trying to blockade our economy, our democracy and our fellow citizens’ daily lives.” Trudeau strongly condemned the protests after images circulated online showing protesters in Ottawa carrying Nazi flags and other hateful symbols. Last week, the mayor of Ottawa declared a state of emergency over the ongoing protests that have disrupted the city.