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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Comment
Van Badham

The global ‘freedom movement’ is a carnival of crank and conspiracy – and very dangerous

Convoy to Canberra protest outside Australia’s Parliament House.
Convoy to Canberra protest outside Australia’s Parliament House. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/EPA

The far right “trucker convoy” that has paralysed Ottawa might be singularly shocking, but what disturbs the most is it’s not unique.

“Freedom” protests similar in form and simultaneously nebulous in broadly anti-vax/anti-mandate political goals have materialised in Britain, France and New Zealand. A convoy claiming to originate from across Europe is making its way towards Brussels. An ongoing gathering that locals alternately describe as “Spring Break for QAnon” or “Camp Covid” is encamped outside Australian Parliament House in Canberra.

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