ANCHORAGE, ALASKA (TND) — Truck drivers in Alaska rallied together Sunday in support of a group of Canadian truckers who have been staunchly protesting vaccine mandates in the nation’s capital of Ottawa.
The event was reportedly dubbed the “Alaska Freedom Convoy,” according to Anchorage Daily News, and it included a rally of truck drivers and supporters alike driving in unison for approximately 15 miles from Anchorage to Eagle River.
The event was organized to stand in solidarity with a group of Canadian truckers and their supporters known as the “Freedom Convoy.”
The convoy has been assembling in Ottawa for roughly the last week and a half to protest a Canadian vaccine mandate, implemented by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, for truckers crossing the U.S.-Canada border.
The Canadian convoy has garnered criticism since assembling in Ottawa due to some unlawful activity which occurred at the large gathering. Ontario Premier Doug Ford called the assembly “an occupation,” according to USA Today, and one media report called the group’s assembly in Ottawa “reminiscent of the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol last year.”
The City of Ottawa declared a state of emergency Sunday in response to the ongoing protests, the BBC reported.
In addition, fundraising platform GoFundMe has frozen over $10 million in donations meant for the group.
The Canadian “Freedom Convoy” is inspiring protests in other countries too, not just the U.S., according to the Toronto Star. From Cyprus, to Argentina, to New Zealand, the entire world is taking notice of what’s going on in Ottawa, and in many cases developing their own protests in support of the Canadian convoy, according to the outlet.