Several Facebook groups dedicated to the “Freedom Convoy” are indicating that Gurnee Mills Mall will be a gathering point for locals to join and drive to DC. The gathering is expected to take place on March 1st at 5:00pm. Per the statement..
The People’s Convoy Update –
SE Wisconsin and North Illinois Route
03/01/2022
Meet at Gurnee Mills Mall starting 5 p.m.
Depart Gurnee Mills 6 p.m.
Head south on I-94 to the I-294 to the I-94/I-294 to south I-65 and head south to a rendezvous point at exit In-2E/I-65
Arrive Flying J Truck Stop 7:30 p.m.
3231 East 181St Avenue
Hebron, IN 46341
Continue south on I65 to the I-465/state hwy 37 interchange.
Arrive at rendezvous 9 p.m.
Our rendezvous will be at:
1720 Thompson Road
Indianapolis, IN
The group encourages people to join with RVs, cars, trucks, etc and to also line the adjacent road ways. The “Freedom Convoy” is overtly designed to protest mask and vaccine mandates. It also has political implications as it is also generally a protest aimed largely at Democrats. Trump flags, Gadsen flags and other symbology are common at other such convoys.
The approach was made popular by truckers in Canada who snarled traffic and blocked streets in Ottawa, where crowds inhibited normalcy and economic function. The problem also moved to a vital bridge connecting Canada to the US, completely blocking it. At a time when supply chain disruption is already a factor in the inflationary environment we are currently in, the move is unwelcome. It is estimated that Detroit auto workers were loosing 50 million per week in waged due to the protests.
“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,” Illinois State Police Division of Patrol Colonel Margaret McGreal said. The Illinois State Police said they caution motorists who “engage in acts that could endanger the safety of the motoring public.”