HAGERSTOWN, MD — An anti-COVID-19 restriction trucker convoy circling the nation’s capital will not be entering Washington, D.C. — at least not yet, organizers said Monday.
Organizer Brian Brase spoke to members of the convoy early Monday morning at Hagerstown Speedway in Maryland, where the convoy had camped out for the night. Brase told the assembled crowd that the convoy would not be entering the capital yet out of fear that it would be cast in the same light as the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol Riot.
“I am fearful, [myself] and the organizers are fearful of them trying to do to us what they did to those involved in Jan 6,” Brase said. “It is our belief that they will try to do that.”
US trucker convoy leader @brianbrase84: “I am fearful of them trying to do to us what they did to those involved in Jan 6. It is our belief that they WILL try to do that….that means at this time, meaning today, tomorrow, we are not and will not go into DC proper.” pic.twitter.com/oDPdIy8F7l
— Mary Margaret Olohan (@MaryMargOlohan) March 7, 2022
“That means at this time, meaning today and tomorrow, we are not and will not go into D.C. proper.”
The convoy leader said that he is aware that some of the members of the convoy “passionately” want to go into D.C.
“But I have to worry about the safety of the children that are in this convoy, I have to worry about the safety of each and every single one of you and I don’t want that on my conscience that I brought people down there and bad stuff happened,” he said.
— Mary Margaret Olohan (@MaryMargOlohan) March 7, 2022
“Right there is a little baby over there,” he continued, pointing to a baby held high above the crowd. “There are two sides to me in this. There is the side that just wants to get s*** done. Then there is the side where I am genuinely concerned about the actions that they are taking in downtown D.C. in the event that we show up down there.”
His comments refer to the District of Columbia activating 400 members of the national guard in late February related to concerns about the trucker convoy moving into the city.
“These trucks in this convoy are the drivers livelihoods,” said a visibly emotional Brase. “These trucks need to remain safe. Because these folks that are here that are driving trucks…these trucks are everything to the truck drivers that are here. These trucks are what put food on their kids tables.”
Members of the convoy wait for Brase to speak again (this morning around 9). He told them several Republican senators may meet with them during the next few days. pic.twitter.com/q1o8G7PnoL
— Mary Margaret Olohan (@MaryMargOlohan) March 7, 2022
Members of the convoy told The Daily Wire Monday morning that the convoy is protesting all COVID-19 restrictions and wants President Joe Biden’s administration to pay attention to their demands.
“We are here for freedom,” said Bobby Coleman, who had traveled from Kentucky in a pickup truck to join the convoy in Ohio with her husband Kim Coleman, an army veteran of 26 years.
“It was a set up in January 6, and it would be a set up now if we go,” she added, discussing whether the convoy will go into Washington, D.C.