It’s not just in Canada anymore.
The Illinois State (ISP) Police has issued a warning to motorists about anticipated “protest trucker convoys” coming to several interstates in Illinois. The convoys are an extension of the massive trucker convoys in Canada that recently blocked border crossings into the US and effectively blockaded the capitol in Ottawa, resulting in the controversial decision by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to invoke the Emergencies Act for the first time in Canadian history.
The convoys are in protest of what participants consider extreme governmental overreach in the various requirements and mandates associated with COVID mitigation in both countries.
The size and intensity of the protests are unlikely to reach the levels seen in Canada, but the ISP is concerned about potential traffic disruptions that might lead to accidents and other unintended consequences.
Illinois State Police Division of Patrol Colonel Margaret McGreal stated, “Though the Illinois State Police respects the rights of citizens to express their opinions in a lawful manner, there is great concern with any event that is designed to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic.”
Colonel McGreal continued, “Traffic backups are a major contributing cause to traffic crashes which lead to property damage, personal injury, and even death. A planned event designed to impede normal traffic flow is dangerous to the innocent motoring public. Those who choose to participate in events that intentionally endanger the public and violate Illinois law will be subject to the enforcement of applicable laws and could potentially be held liable for traffic crashes occurring as a result of their actions.”
The release stated that officials have become aware of planned events along several interstate corridors scheduled for this week where truck drivers plan to conduct a “Convoy” causing traffic delays and potentially crashes.
