US trucker convoy gathers for cross-country trip to protest Covid rules

People hold American flags at the gathering of truckers participating in the ‘people’s convoy’ prior to their departure in Adelanto, California, on 23 February. Photograph: Étienne Laurent/EPA

A group of US truckers embarked in a convoy of vehicles on Wednesday on a 2,500 mile cross-country trip from Adelanto, California to Washington DC to protest against coronavirus restrictions.

The group, which is calling itself the “people’s convoy”, is one of several starting from different parts of the country and due to start arriving in the US capital at various points through to late next week – all inspired by the demonstrations that recently paralyzed Canada’s capital city, Ottawa, for weeks.