Opinion
DHS strikes to counter truck convoy in US forward of Tremendous Bowl Sunday amid trucker protests
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White Home press secretary Jen Psaki mentioned Friday the Division of Homeland Safety (DHS) had deployed 500 staff and is “surging extra workers” in coordination with California police forces to stop disruptions on the Tremendous Bowl in response to a global trucking protest.
The press secretary’s feedback got here simply moments after President Biden spoke with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau relating to a two-week trucking protest that has disrupted transportation routes and provide chains between the U.S. and Canada.
DHS TRACKING REPORTS OF POTENTIAL TRUCK CONVOY IN AMERICA AMID CANADA TRUCKER PROTESTS
Site visitors is jammed 9 miles from the border south of the Port Huron, Michigan, Blue Water Bridge on account of trucker protests in Canada.
(Michael Lee)
Freedom Convoy protests in Ottawa, the place truck drivers are advocating for an finish to the federal government’s coronavirus vaccine mandate for cross-border truckers, are anticipated to take off in quite a few U.S. cities, together with Los Angeles.
DHS warned U.S. regulation enforcement and public security officers this week {that a} trucker convoy protesting vaccine mandates may start Feb. 13, the identical day as Tremendous Bowl LVI, and will create important site visitors jams and provide disruptions.
Psaki mentioned DHS forces are working with California Freeway Patrol, the Los Angeles Police Division, state and native authorities, in addition to “intensive air and maritime safety assets” to counter these protests.
“We definitely consider in peaceable protests,” Psaki advised reporters. However, she added, “No matter their supposed acknowledged objective, this effort … has the potential to have a huge effect on employees and the American public.”
A police barricade in entrance of automobiles parked as a part of the trucker protest Feb. 8, 2022, in Ottawa’s downtown.
(Adrian Wyld /The Canadian Press through AP)
The press secretary mentioned the U.S. has been in shut contact with Canadian officers and is working with native authorities to detour site visitors so drivers who journey throughout the Canadian border to ship items usually are not prevented from doing so.
DHS can also be making ready for the same protest anticipated in Washington, D.C., in March.
“They’re taking all needed steps to make sure that the convoy doesn’t disrupt lawful commerce and transportation or intervene with federal authorities and regulation enforcement operations,” Psaki mentioned.
Fox Information’ Kyle Morris contributed to this report.
