Canadian truckers protesting for their freedom have received outpouring support from many big-rig drivers in America despite ongoing police arrests.
During a phone interview with Fox News, 62-year-old Iowan trucker John Brubaker expressed his concern about Canada’s vaccine mandate affecting the livelihood of truckers
“It’s dead wrong for Canadian leaders to use emergency powers to impact these truckers,” said Brubaker, who is a transportation supervisor for a trucking company in Tennessee. “It shows no respect for the enormous role truckers play in the economy — and it’s dictatorial.”
Brubaker says Canadian truckers caught the world’s attention through their demonstrations.
“You’ve got to be pretty smart to do that,” he added.
The protests in Ottawa began several weeks ago after a recent mandate was imposed, which required drivers entering Canada to be fully vaccinated or undergo testing and other quarantine requirements.
Earlier this month, the truckers formed a blockade between the Montana and Alberta border, causing disruption in the flow of goods and services between the U.S. and Canada.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invoked that country’s Emergencies Act on Monday, giving the government temporary powers to deal with the border blockades, which includes the use of severe legal and financial measures against the demonstrators.
Additionally, Guido Miller, Brubaker’s colleague, offered her support and empathy to the truck drivers.
“I’m in the cab of my truck driving down the road. I’m not a risk to people,” he said. “Truckers are not super-spreaders.”
“Things are calming down with COVID — and suddenly truck drivers are a major health risk?” he added.
Both Brubaker and Miller are fully vaccinated. They are advocating for their fellow truckers to the north to have the personal autonomy to make their own health decisions.
This is despite 90% of Canadian truckers being vaccinated, according to Canada’s Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra.
“Truckers are a special breed who believe in getting things done,” Brubaker said. “Those Canadian drivers are our big-rig brothers.”
Many American conservative media figures have also praised the ongoing protests such as Fox News reporter Sean Hannity, who showed his solidarity with the truckers during a live report of the demonstration.
“Send our solidarity, love and support to all of the brave people who are there,” said Hannity to the on-site reporter in Ottawa. “Don’t give up.”
