Canada convoy protest

[[File:Freedom Convoy 2022, Ottawa, February 12 (13).jpg|right|300px|thumb|Might as well be living in [[North Korea]]. Or worse, [[Australia]].<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/14/opinion/australia-far-right-america.html No, Australia Is Not Actually an Evil Dictatorship], Van Badham, ''The New York Times''. October 14<sup>th</sup>, 2021.</ref>|alt=Trucker protests in Ottawa.|alt=Crowds of convoy protesters gathered outside the Office of the Prime Minister and Privy Council Building (which is located across from Parliament Hill). Many protesters are waving Canadian flags or holding signs with slogans like "wake up" and "my body, my choice". A truck is parked next to the office building so as to block the road to Parliament Hill. The truck has the text "Fuck Trudeau" painted on its side, except that the U in "Fuck" is replaced with a maple leaf exactly like the one on the Canadian flag.]]
{{politics}}
The '''Canada convoy protest''' or the '''Freedom Convoy''' was a series of protests in Ottawa<ref>[https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-ottawa-mayor-declares-state-of-emergency-over-trucker-convoy-protests/ Ottawa mayor declares state of emergency over trucker convoy protest], Ian Bailey and Mike Hager, ''The Globe and Mail''. February 6<sup>th</sup>, 2022.</ref> and provincial capitals such as [[Toronto]] and [[Alberta|Edmonton]],<ref name=star1>[https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2022/02/11/freedom-convoy-protests-ford-declares-state-of-emergency-over-siege-says-protesters-risk-losing-truck-licences.html ‘Freedom convoy’ protests: Police commence enforcement at the Ambassador Bridge], ''Toronto Star''. February 11<sup>th</sup>, 2022.</ref> as well as blockades at [[Canada]]-[[US]] border crossings<ref name=star1/> against [[COVID-19]] restrictions, especially vaccination requirements and [[vaccine]] passports<ref name=ctv1>[https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/here-s-what-you-need-to-know-about-the-truck-convoy-moving-into-ottawa-today-1.5757761 Heavy police presence as truckers arrive in downtown Ottawa], Michael Woods and Josh Pringle, ''CTV News Ottawa''. January 28<sup>th</sup>, 2022.</ref> during January<ref name=ctv1/> and February<ref>[https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ottawa-convoy-protest-fourth-weekend-1.6358094 Ottawa police close in on final protesters, vow to hold all participants accountable], Catharine Tunney and Christian Paas-Lang, ''CBC News''. February 19<sup>th</sup>, 2022.</ref> of 2022. It became a ''cause célèbre'' of the [[far right]] in both Canada and the US, and over time the protests' goals morphed from ending COVID-related restrictions to a generic airing of [[right-wing]] grievances, including several protesters who demanded the resignation of Prime Minister [[Justin Trudeau]].<ref>[https://www.politico.com/news/2022/02/14/canadian-truckers-block-bridge-strike-protests-00008620  What's happening with the Canadian trucker convoy? Here's what you need to know], Myah Ward, ''Politico''. February 14<sup>th</sup>, 2022.</ref>

==Background==
During 2021, several provinces implemented "vaccine passport" laws requiring people to show proof of vaccination to participate in various activities in public spaces, such as indoor dining.<ref>[https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021HLTH0053-001659 B.C. launches proof of vaccination to stop spread of COVID-19], British Columbia Ministry of Health. August 23<sup>rd</sup>, 2021.</ref><ref>[https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-covid-vaccine-passport-certificate-proof-1.6160728 Ontario's COVID-19 vaccine passport plan unveiled, won't apply to retail], Lucas Powers and Adam Carter, ''CBC News''. September 1<sup>st</sup>, 2021.</ref><ref>[https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/quebec-to-implement-vaccine-passport-due-to-rising-covid-19-cases-premier-says-1.5535639 Quebec to implement vaccine passport due to rising COVID-19 cases, premier says], Joe Lofaro, ''CTV News Montreal''. August 5<sup>th</sup>, 2021.</ref><ref>[https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/across-canada-vaccine-passports-are-a-patchwork-here-s-what-that-looks-like-1.1647710 Across Canada, vaccine passports are a patchwork. Here's what that looks like], Temur Durrani, ''BNN Bloomberg''. September 3<sup>rd</sup>, 2021.</ref> These laws remained in effect at the start of 2022.<ref>[https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-ontario-set-to-lift-vaccine-certificate-system-march-1-but-masking/ Ontario to end vaccine passports, ease capacity limits, but masks stay on], Jeff Gray, ''The Globe and Mail''. February 14<sup>th</sup>, 2022.</ref><ref name=ctv2>[https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/a-look-at-canada-s-vaccine-mandates-and-public-health-restrictions-1.5757218 A look at Canada's vaccine mandates and public health restrictions], Michael Lee, ''CTV News''. January 27<sup>th</sup>, 2022.</ref> In addition, the federal government required unvaccinated travellers entering Canada to quarantine for 14 days.<ref name=ctv2/> On January 15, Canada began applying this quarantine requirement to unvaccinated truckers crossing the border.<ref>[https://www.trucknews.com/transportation/truck-driver-vaccine-mandates-loom-for-cross-border-operations/1003156144/ Truck driver vaccine mandates loom for cross-border operations], John G Smith, ''Truck News''. January 5<sup>th</sup>, 2022.</ref> The convoy formed in opposition to these restrictions.<ref name=ctv2/>

Protesters began arriving in Ottawa over the weekend of January 28<sup>th</sup>.<ref>[https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2022/01/26/the-freedom-rally-is-rolling-through-toronto-on-thursday-heres-what-you-need-to-know.html The ‘Freedom Rally’ is rolling through Toronto on Thursday. Here’s what you need to know], Dorcas Marfo, ''Toronto Star''. January 26<sup>th</sup>, 2022.</ref> Around this time, convoys also began forming blockades along parts of the Canada-US border.<ref>[https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/1/28/why-are-anti-vaccine-canadian-truckers-converging-on-ottawa Canada’s trucker protests: What is going on?], ''Al Jazeera''. January 28<sup>th</sup>, 2022.</ref> The Windsor-Detroit blockade did not form until more than a week into the protests, on February 7<sup>th</sup>.<ref>[https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/ambassador-bridge-protest-1.6343344 2nd day of Ambassador Bridge protest halts vehicles from leaving Michigan, limits Windsor to U.S. traffic], ''CBC News''. February 8<sup>th</sup>, 2022.</ref>

==Disruption==
{{cquote|101. OMG I'M LAUGHING SO HARD: Paul from [[California]] writes that…you ready? "Without truckers there would be no [[Western civilization|Western Civilization]]."|||Katherine Blouin, professor of Historical and Cultural Studies, University of Toronto<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20220214225113/https://twitter.com/isisnaucratis/status/1493357162063663106 101. OMG I'M LAUGHING SO HARD: Paul from California writes that…you ready? "Without truckers there would be no Western Civilization." I repeat: "Without truckers there would be no Western Civilization."] by Katherine Blouin (2:51 PM - 14 Feb 2022) ''Twitter'' (archived from February 14, 2022).</ref>}}
[[File:Trucks lined up on Ambassador Bridge Feb 8.png|right|165px|thumb|The Windsor-Detroit border crossing blocked by truckers.|alt=Trucks lined up on Ambassador Bridge Feb 8: "civilization" at its finest]]
The protests blocked border crossings between Canada and the US,<ref name=star1/><ref>[https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/photos/scenes-of-truck-convoy-protests-blocking-canada-u-s-border-crossings-1.6346422 Scenes of truck convoy protests blocking Canada-U.S. border crossings], ''CBC News''. February 10<sup>th</sup>, 2022.</ref> including major crossings such as the Ambassador Bridge between Windsor, [[Fun:Ontario|Ontario]] and Detroit, [[Michigan]], and rural crossings such as the {{wpl|Sweetgrass-Coutts Border Crossing}} in the Canadian Prairies. The blockades both prevented travelers from passing and obstructed shipments of goods between Canada and the US.<ref>[https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-auto-sector-food-transportation-hit-as-border-blockades-spread-across/ Auto sector, food transportation hit as border blockades spread across country], Eric Atkins and Susan Krashinsky Robertson, ''The Globe and Mail''. February 10<sup>th</sup>, 2022.</ref>

The protests in Ottawa were intentionally loud because of truckers honking their horns, even at night, which disrupted the lives of Ottawans who lived or worked near the protests.<ref name=gn>[https://globalnews.ca/news/8586606/ottawa-trucker-protest-harassment-noise/ Trucker protest: Ottawa residents face harassment, noise ‘all night long’], Craig Lord, ''Global News''. February 1<sup>st</sup>, 2022.</ref><ref name=trashpost>[https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/more-than-annoying-what-trucker-convoys-nearly-nonstop-honking-could-be-doing-to-people-in-ottawa More than annoying: What trucker convoy's nearly nonstop honking could be doing to people in Ottawa], Tyler Dawson, ''National Post''. February 4<sup>th</sup>, 2022.</ref> Many Ottawans complained that the protests prevented them from [[sleep]]ing and distracted them from work.<ref name=gn/><ref name=trashpost/> Because the Ottawa protest was right next to parliament and controlled the approach routes, there were concerns for the safety of Parliament and Prime Minister [[Justin Trudeau]].

Despite the protesters' claims to be on the side of the people, and fighting for everyone's [[freedom]],<ref>[https://theconversation.com/whose-freedom-is-the-freedom-convoy-fighting-for-not-everyones-176336 Whose freedom is the ‘freedom convoy’ fighting for? Not everyone’s], Gerard Walton, ''The Conversation''. February 6<sup>th</sup>, 2022.</ref><ref>[https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ottawa-convoy-protest-organizers-end-1.6336289 Protest organizers dig in and say only politicians can clear Ottawa's downtown], ''CBC News''. February 2<sup>nd</sup>, 2022.</ref> protesters and supporters of the protests often revelled in the harms that the protests caused to Ottawans. One protester said that he honked in order to "[[Asshole|make other people suffer the way he had already suffered]]."<ref>[https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/trucker-freedom-convoy-new-normal-1.6355574 The Ottawa convoy has 'shattered norms' for protest in Canada. Will we see more of it?], Stephanie Hogan, ''CBC News''. February 19<sup>th</sup>, 2022.</ref> An internet [[meme]] relating to the protests, "the honking will continue until freedom improves,"<ref name=kym>[https://news.knowyourmeme.com/news/honk-honk-memes-see-resurgence-on-4chan-due-to-canadian-freedom-convoy-and-its-loud-honking-trucks 'Honk Honk' Memes See Resurgence On 4chan Due To 'Canadian Freedom Convoy' And Its Loud, Honking Trucks], Owen Carry, ''Know Your Meme''. January 31<sup>st</sup>, 2022.</ref> circulated in far-right circles, referring to a quote by a protester confronted by an Ottawan complaining that the protests prevented him from sleeping.<ref>[https://twitter.com/stillgray/status/1488733162234646536?lang=en Ian Miles Cheong, on Twitter]. February 1<sup>st</sup>, 2022.</ref> These memes (and other [[Alt-right|alt-right]] memes related to the protests) often referenced alt-right memes such as [[Honkler]].<ref name=kym/>

Convoy protesters in Ottawa also deliberately overloaded 911 lines.<ref>[https://edmonton.citynews.ca/2022/02/10/ottawa-police-911/ 'Completely unacceptable': Ottawa police say 911 lines being purposely flooded], Michael Talbot, ''CityNews Edmonton''. February 10<sup>th</sup>, 2022.</ref>

===Vandalism===
Members of the Ottawa convoy vandalized a statue of {{wpl|Terry Fox}} by making the statue appear to be holding a sign in support of the convoy. They also vandalized the National War Memorial.<ref>[https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/30/americas/ottawa-canada-convoy-protests/index.html Multiple criminal investigations underway for 'desecration' of Canadian monuments after protests against Covid-19 mandates, police say], Paula Newton, Dakin Andone and Keith Allen, ''CNN''. January 31<sup>st</sup>, 2022.</ref>

===Ottawan resistance to the convoy===
Some Ottawans infiltrated Zello (voice chat) channels used by the Ottawa convoy to communicate. One infiltrator even became a moderator in some of the channels, and later created his own that became the main one used by the convoy.<ref name=resistance>[https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/ram-ranch-resistance-how-a-gay-cowboy-song-became-an-anti-convoy-anthem  Ram Ranch Resistance: How a gay cowboy song became an anti-convoy anthem], Bruce Deachman, ''Ottawa Citizen''. February 16<sup>th</sup>, 2022.</ref> He used this position to encourage some of the more tired protesters to go home.<ref name=resistance/> On February 12<sup>th</sup>, he invited several opponents of the protests to the channel who blasted "Ram Ranch", a (very [[NSFW]]) song about [[gay]] cowboys, in the voice chat, rendering it unusable for communication.<ref name=resistance/>

==Law enforcement response==
{{cquote|Ottawa Police declare protest peaceful so long as public avoids it for their own safety.|||''[[Fake news#The Beaverton|The Beaverton]]'',<ref>[https://archive.ph/DuQze "Ottawa Police declare protest peaceful so long as public avoids it for their own safety #cdnpoli"] ''The Beaverton'', on Twitter. January 31<sup>st</sup>, 2022.</ref> satirical news website}}

During the first few weeks of the protest in Ottawa, the [[police]] did little to control them despite the complaints of city residents. Prior to the arrival of the convoy, the police emphasised the importance of respecting the right to protest,<ref>[https://www.aptnnews.ca/national-news/soft-police-approach-to-ottawa-anti-vax-protest-reveals-pure-racism-say-critics/ 'Avoid the downtown,' police urge ahead of trucker convoy protest], Brett Forester, ''APTN News''. January 31<sup>st</sup>, 2022.</ref><ref name=aj>[https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/3/19/what-truckers-convoy-revealed-about-policing-in-canada What the truckers’ convoy revealed about policing in Canada], Jillian Kestler-D'Amours, ''Al Jazeera''. March 19<sup>th</sup>, 2022.</ref> and mobilized few resources to controlling the protests. After the convoy was established, they avoided ticketing protesters on the basis that it would escalate tensions,<ref name=aj/> and suggested that attempting to control the protests would be too dangerous.<ref>[https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ottawa-protests-police-chief-no-end-in-sight-1.6341192 No end in sight to Ottawa protests, not enough resources, says police chief], Joanne Chianello, ''CBC News''. February 5<sup>th</sup>, 2022.</ref>

The police handling of the convoy protest in Ottawa stood in stark contrast with their treatment of other protest movements.<ref>[https://ottawacitizen.com/opinion/monaghan-ottawa-police-have-facilitated-the-freedom-rally-now-what Monaghan: Ottawa police have facilitated the 'freedom rally': Now what?], Jeffrey Monaghan, ''Ottawa Citizen''. February 2<sup>nd</sup>, 2022.</ref> Historically, Canadian police, including the Ottawa police and the Ontario Provincial police, have often swiftly and violently suppressed [[Native American|indigenous]] protest movements, and charged protesters with crimes rather than opt for "de-escalation".<ref>[https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-will-the-convoy-protests-translate-into-more-support-for-the-defund/ The way protesters were treated in Ottawa had an unexpected side effect: more support for defunding the police], Dakshana Bascaramurty, ''The Globe and Mail''. March 3<sup>rd</sup>, 2022.</ref><ref>[https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/police-charge-12-and-break-up-downtown-demonstration-demanding-change-for-black-and-indigenous-people Protesters rally outside police HQ after officers charge 12 and break up demonstration demanding change for Black and Indigenous people], Kelly Egan, ''Ottawa Citizen''. November 21<sup>st</sup>, 2020.</ref>

===Police Chief Peter Sloly resigns===
The Chief of the Ottawa Police Service at the start of the protest, Peter Sloly, resigned on February 15<sup>th</sup> amid criticism from lower-ranking leadership within the Ottawa police force blaming him for the ineffective initial response to the protest, and suggesting that he "[[bullied]]" his subordinates by criticising them in front of coworkers.<ref name=slolycbc>[https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/sloly-ottawa-resigns-behaviour-leadership-1.6352295 Peter Sloly resigns as Ottawa's police chief, says force now 'better positioned to end this occupation'], Travis Dhanraj, Stephen Hoff, Peter Zimonjic, ''CBC News''. February 15<sup>th</sup>, 2022.</ref> Notably, Sloly, who was the first [[African American|Black]] chief of the Ottawa police,<ref name=slolyoc>[https://ottawacitizen.com/news/prominent-black-community-leaders-say-peter-sloly-was-sabotaged-and-scapegoated-as-police-chief Prominent Black community leaders say Peter Sloly was 'sabotaged' and 'scapegoated' as police chief], Aedan Helmer,''Ottawa Citizen''. February 16<sup>th</sup>, 2022.</ref> had a reputation as a reformist when he took the job, developed from his previous work in the Toronto Police.<ref name=slolycbc/> Several leaders of NGOs<ref group=note>Non-governmental organizations</ref> concerned with the interests of Black Ottawans and Canadians argued that he was used as a [[scapegoat]] by officers who resented him because they opposed reform and even [[Racism|outright didn't want to work for a Black chief]].<ref name=slolyoc/>

===Trudeau declares state of emergency===
On February 14<sup>th</sup>, Prime Minister [[Justin Trudeau]] took the unprecedented step of declaring a national emergency on the basis that the Ottawa police were incapable of restoring order. This allowed him to send the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (i.e. federal law enforcement) to enforce local laws.<ref>[https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trudeau-premiers-cabinet-1.6350734 Federal government invokes Emergencies Act for first time ever in response to protests, blockades], Catharine Tunney, ''CBC News''. February 14<sup>th</sup>, 2022.</ref>

===Clearing the protests===
====Ottawa====
On February 17<sup>th</sup>, the RCMP began arresting the organizers of the protest.<ref>[https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/tamara-lich-chris-barber-arrested-ottawa-1.6355960 Convoy protest organizers Tamara Lich, Chris Barber, Pat King arrested in Ottawa], Sara Frizzell, Shaamini Yogaretnam, ''CBC News''. February 17<sup>th</sup>, 2022.</ref> Around this period, law enforcement was more successful at clearing protesters out of downtown Ottawa, finally succeeding on February 20<sup>th</sup>.<ref>[https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/downtown-ottawa-streets-protests-police-1.6358396 Cleanup crews replace protesters in downtown Ottawa as heavy police presence remains], ''CBC News''. February 20<sup>th</sup>, 2022.</ref> During this period, supporters of the convoy spread rumours that a police horse either seriously injured a woman or trampled her to death, but an investigation by the Special Investigations Unit (which is responsible for overseeing Canadian law enforcement) concluded that it was a [[hoax]].<ref>[https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/false-trampling-death-rumours-at-friday-s-ottawa-protests-a-sign-of-misinformation-campaign-police-say-1.6358308 False trampling death rumours at Friday's Ottawa protests a sign of misinformation campaign, police say], Joanne Chianello, ''CBC News''. February 19<sup>th</sup>, 2022.</ref>

====Border blockades====
The Windsor-Detroit blockade was cleared by a combination of Windsor, Ontario Provincial, and RCMP police, and the Ambassador Bridge fully reopened on February 13<sup>th</sup>.<ref>[https://windsor.ctvnews.ca/42-arrests-37-vehicle-seizures-made-by-police-in-windsor-protest-1.5780883 42 arrests, 37 vehicle seizures made by police in Windsor protest], Melanie Borrelli, ''CTV News Windsor''. February 14<sup>th</sup>, 2022.</ref>

==Far-right ties==
{{main|Far right}}
The organizers of the protests sought the resignation of the entire federal government.<ref name=trucknews>[https://www.trucknews.com/blogs/the-so-called-freedom-convoy-was-never-about-truckers-or-border-mandates/ The so-called Freedom Convoy was never about truckers, or border mandates], James Menzies, ''Truck News''. January 30<sup>th</sup>, 2022.</ref> One organizer was affiliated with an [[Alberta]]n separatist political party,<ref>[https://www.trucknews.com/blogs/the-murky-matter-of-protests-and-the-donations-that-drive-them/ The murky matter of protests and the donations that drive them], James Menzies, ''Truck News''. January 21<sup>st</sup>, 2022.</ref> and another was a supporter of the [[Maxime Bernier|People's Party of Canada]].<ref>[https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/organizers-of-convoy-protest-we-have-no-intentions-of-staying-one-day-longer-than-necessary Organizers of convoy protest: 'We have no intentions of staying one day longer than necessary'], Blair Crawford, ''Ottawa Citizen''. February 4<sup>th</sup>, 2022.</ref>

Some protesters displayed [[white supremacist]] symbols, including [[Confederate States of America|Confederate]] flags<ref name=trucknews/> and [[swastika]]s, although some of the swastikas were intended to [[Nazi analogies|compare]] Justin Trudeau with [[Hitler]].<ref>[https://www.snopes.com/news/2022/02/17/swastikas-canada-freedom-convoy/ Swastikas and Confederate Flags Seen at Canada’s ‘Freedom Convoy’], Jordan Liles, ''Snopes''. February 17<sup>th</sup>, 2022.</ref> Symbols from [[Classical antiquity]] were also seen at the protests, including a misspelled [[Alt-right glossary#Molon labe|Molon labe]] flag and a hoodie that depicted a Spartan helmet.<ref>[https://pharos.vassarspaces.net/2022/04/15/classics-ottowa-freedom-convoy-leaked-donors/ How Classics Made its Way into the “Freedom Convoy”] (April 15, 2022) ''Pharos''.</ref>

Protest organizers used the platform GiveSendGo to fundraise<ref>[https://vancouver.citynews.ca/2022/03/04/givesendgo-covid-protests/ GiveSendGo defends groups raising funds for trucker convoy in Ottawa], Claire Fenton and Stephanie Taylor, ''CityNews Vancouver''. March 4<sup>th</sup>, 2022.</ref> after getting banned from GoFundMe on February 4<sup>th</sup>.<ref>[https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/trucker-convoy-fundraiser-removed-from-gofundme-1.5768824 Trucker convoy fundraiser removed from GoFundMe], Daniel Otis, ''CTV News''. February 4<sup>th</sup>, 2022.</ref> GiveSendGo describes itself as a "[[Christian]] [[Crowdfunding|crowdfunding]] site" and has a reputation for facilitating fundraising to far-right causes such as to pay [[Kyle Rittenhouse]]'s legal fees.<ref>[https://www.thenation.com/article/society/givesendgo-crowdfunding-extremism/ Crowdfunding Hate in the Name of Christ], Talia Lavin, ''The Nation''. April 5<sup>th</sup>, 2021.</ref> GiveSendGo refused to comply with an Ontario court order to stop sending funds to protesters.<ref>[https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/11/business/givesendgo-trucker-convoy-protest/index.html Crowd fundraising site says they will defy Canadian court order to stop disbursing funds to convoy protesters], Paul P. Murphy and Paula Newton, ''CNN Business''. February 11<sup>th</sup>, 2022.</ref> [[Hacker]]s leaked data on donors to the convoy through GiveSendGo on February 13<sup>th</sup>.<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/more-data-canada-truck-convoy-donors-leaked-website-2022-02-15/ More data on Canadian 'Freedom Convoy' donors leaked -website], Christopher Bing and Anna Mehler Paperny, ''Reuters''. February 15<sup>th</sup>, 2022.</ref> The hacked data showed that there were more American donors to the convoy via GiveSendGo than Canadian donors, although Canadians donated more total money.<ref>[https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-data-leak-reveals-canadians-americans-donated-millions-to-fund-convoy/ Data leak reveals Canadians, Americans donated millions to fund trucker convoy protests], Tom Cardoso, ''The Globe and Mail''. February 15<sup>th</sup>, 2022.</ref>

After the federal government cut the protesters off of crowdfunding services, some protest supporters attempted to use [[Bitcoin]] to send funds.<ref name=bitcoin>[https://www.vice.com/en/article/jgmnpd/the-freedom-convoy-bitcoin-donations-have-been-frozen-and-seized The ‘Freedom Convoy’ Bitcoin Donations Have Been Frozen and Seized], Ekin Genç, ''Vice''. March 15<sup>th</sup>, 2022.</ref> Proponents of Bitcoin often argue that it is "[[censorship]]-resistant", meaning that it can circumvent government restrictions on sending and receiving money because governments lack the means to control it.{{lie}} However, the federal government was able to block protesters who had received donations in Bitcoin from being able to use any of the donations they had received by ordering [[Cryptocurrency|cryptocurrency]] exchanges to prevent them from moving any of the funds in their wallets,<ref name=bitcoin/> proving that Bitcoin isn't so "censorship-resistant" after all.

Right-wing media in Canada such as [[Rebel Media|Rebel News]] encouraged the protests,<ref>[https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/rolling-thunder-organizers-were-also-part-of-the-freedom-convoy-protests 'Rolling Thunder' organizers were also part of the 'Freedom Convoy' protests], Jacquie Miller, ''Ottawa Citizen''. April 27<sup>th</sup>, 2022.</ref> as did American [[pundit]]s such as [[Tucker Carlson]] and [[Ben Shapiro]].<ref>[https://www.syracuse.com/us-news/2022/02/sean-hannity-tucker-carlson-cheer-on-canadian-trucker-protest.html Sean Hannity, Tucker Carlson cheer on Canadian trucker protest], ''Syracuse.com''. February 11<sup>th</sup>, 2022.</ref>

Among international sites covering the protest, the [[Russian]] state media outlet [[RT]] covered the Freedom Convoy far more than any other international media outlet", and was also covered by other Russian state proxy sites (SouthFront and [[Global Research]]).<ref name=bueno>[https://journals.lib.sfu.ca/index.php/jicw/article/view/5101/4385 Russia’s Role In The Far-Right Truck Convoy: An Analysis Of Russian State Media Activity Related To The 2022 Freedom Convoy] by Caroline Orr Bueno (2023) ''Journal of Intelligence, Conflict, and Warfare'' 5(3):1-22. doi:10.21810/jicw.v5i3.5101.</ref> Based on previous analyses of Russian media's relationship to the Russian state, "it is reasonable to infer that RT's extensive coverage of the convoy may be just the most visible sign of a broader influence campaign encompassing other actors and  activities including proxy sources, cyber operations, social media accounts/engagement, and involvement in activism/organizing."<ref name=bueno/>

==Ripple effect==
The convoy protests in Canada inspired protests in several other countries elsewhere, such as [[France]],<ref>[https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20220214-french-convoy-against-covid-restrictions-heads-to-brussels-for-another-banned-rally French convoy against Covid restrictions heads to Brussels for another banned rally], ''France 24''. February 14<sup>th</sup>, 2022.</ref> [[Australia]],<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/feb/04/occupy-canberra-behind-the-anti-vaccine-protests-at-parliament-house ‘Occupy Canberra’: behind the anti-vaccine protests at Parliament House], Josh Butler, ''The Guardian''. February 3<sup>rd</sup>, 2022.</ref> and [[New Zealand]].<ref>[https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/26-02-2022/a-week-on-the-ground-at-the-freedom-village A week on the ground at the ‘freedom village’], Stewart Sowman-Lund, ''The Spinoff''. February 26<sup>th</sup>, 2022.</ref> In March, a trucker convoy protest in Washington, DC was brought to a crawl by a single [[Bicycle|bicyclist]] making an impromptu counter-protest.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2022/03/26/dc-trucker-convoy-protest-bike/ Meet the Bike Man who brought the trucker convoy to a crawl] by  Ellie Silverman (March 26, 2022 at 1:01 p.m. EDT) ''The Washington Post''.</ref> In April, a trucker convoy protest was turned back by some well-placed eggs in Oakland, [[California]].<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/04/26/peoples-convoy-truckers-egged-kids-california/ ‘People’s Convoy’ truckers driven out after youths, residents egged them] by  Timothy Bella (April 26, 2022 at 3:47 p.m. EDT) ''The Washington Post''.</ref>

At the end of April, some of the former convoy protests returned to Ottawa and held a rally they called "Rolling Thunder", but they were quickly removed after only a couple of nights; it did not lead to a resurgence of the convoy protest.<ref>[https://globalnews.ca/news/8799946/rolling-thunder-protesters-war-memorial-reclaim/ ‘Rolling Thunder’ protesters rally in front of parliament as police stage operation], Laura Osman and Sarah Ritchie, ''Global News''. April 30<sup>th</sup>, 2022.</ref>

==See also==
*[[2021 U.S. Capitol riot]]

==External links==
*[https://theconversation.com/whose-freedom-is-the-freedom-convoy-fighting-for-not-everyones-176336  Whose freedom is the ‘freedom convoy’ fighting for? Not everyone’s], Gerard Walton, ''The Conversation''. February 6<sup>th</sup>, 2022.

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=note}}

==References==
{{reflist|2|80%}}

[[Category:Alt-right]]
[[Category:Anti-vaccination movement]]
[[Category:Canada]]
[[Category:Canadian politics]]
[[Category:Conspiracy theories]]
[[Category:COVID-19 denialists]]
[[Category:Crank magnetism]]
[[Category:Crime]]
[[Category:Cryptocurrency]]
[[Category:Russia]]

Categories: Alt-right, Anti-vaccination movement, Canada, Canadian politics, Conspiracy theories, COVID-19 denialists, Crank magnetism, Crime, Cryptocurrency, Russia