Truckers protested against low freight rates outside the White House Saturday, while heavily armed men surrounded the New Hampshire and Or...
Truckers protested against low freight rates outside the White House Saturday, while heavily armed men surrounded the New Hampshire and Oregon capitols as anti-lockdown demonstrations continue into the weekend.
A convoy of around 70 trucks descended on Washington DC for a second day Saturday to protest against low freight rates that truckers say are hammering the industry and leaving them unable to put food on the table amid the coronavirus pandemic.
As truckers sought to get the attention of President Trump and urge him to provide some respite to the industry, other forms of protests were also taking place across the nation.
Anti-lockdown protesters marched on the capitol buildings in New Hampshire and Oregon Saturday demanding an end to stay-at-home orders.
WASHINGTON DC: Truckers protested against low freight rates outside the White House Saturday
NEW HAMPSHIRE: Heavily armed men surrounded the New Hampshire capitol as anti-lockdown demonstrations continue into the weekend
OREGON: Anti-lockdown protesters surrounded the capitol building in Oregon Saturday demanding an end to the stay-at-home order
Heavily armed men carrying rifles and sporting camouflage gear marched on the New Hampshire Statehouse in protest against Governor Chris Sununu's extension to the state's stay-at-home order.
It was a similar story in Oregon where protesters defied stay-at-home orders - and the rain - to take to the streets of Salem, waving American flags, Trump merchandise and banners.
Protests have been going on for weeks as states begin to flatten the curve and the spread of the virus begins to slow.
Several governors have relaxed restrictions, but many Americans are still angry with the lockdowns which they claim takes away their freedom and creates irreparable damage to jobs and the economy.
WASHINGTON DC: A convoy of around 70 trucks descended on Washington DC for a second day Saturday to protest against low freight rates that truckers say are hammering the industry
WASHINGTON DC: Drivers got out of their vehicles to hold up banners with slogans such as 'Not the brokers' and 'No more che(a)p freight'
WASHINGTON DC: Trucks were pictured parked up along Constitutional Avenue where they blasted their horns together in a protest that could be heard all the way to the White House
In Washington DC, trucks were pictured parked up along Constitutional Avenue where they blasted their horns together in a protest that could be heard all the way to the White House.
The convoy of trucks had headed to the US capital Friday, with truckers from across the nation plan to set up camp through to Monday to get the president's attention to their plight.
Drivers got out of their vehicles to hold up banners with slogans such as 'Not the brokers' and 'No more che(a)p freight'.
The protest comes as truckers have warned that the freight rates have fallen so low during the pandemic that they can no longer make a living.
It marks the latest in a series of grassroots efforts from truckers up and down the country in recent weeks.
WASHINGTON DC: Truckers sought to get the attention of President Trump and urge him to provide some respite to the trucking industry
WASHINGTON DC: The convoy of trucks had headed to the US capital Friday, with truckers from across the nation plan to set up camp through to Monday to get the president's attention to their plight
WASHINGTON DC: Truckers have warned that the freight rates have fallen so low during the pandemic that they can no longer make a living. It marks the latest in a series of grassroots efforts from truckers up and down the country in recent weeks
The trucking industry has not been given a dedicated bailout from the federal government, unlike the airline industry.
Truckers are begging Trump to extend some sort of support to the industry, who only two weeks ago he praised for being critical during the crisis.
On April 16, Trump welcomed representatives of the industry to the White House where he thanked truckers, calling them 'the foot soldiers' of the pandemic.
When coronavirus cases first started ramping up across the nation and frantic shoppers emptied store shelves as they stockpiled supplies, truckers benefited from a spike in demand as stores grappled to restock shelves.
But, truckers told the Washington Post this quickly collapsed as the economy has headed on a downward spiral and stay-at-home orders continue into May.
Squeezed rates are being passed along the chain and brokers are being accused of using the pandemic to cut trucker pay.
Truckers are left feeling the pinch while having to foot the same overheads of usual. They also protested about a lack of access to gloves and face masks during the pandemic.
NEW HAMPSHIRE: Some protesters were decked out in camouflage clothing and carried weapons outside the Concord statehouse
NEW HAMPSHIRE: Protesters marched on the New Hampshire Statehouse in protest against Governor Chris Sununu's extension to the state's stay-at-home order
NEW HAMPSHIRE: In one image two people are seen shaking hands, ignoring social distancing rules
NEW HAMPSHIRE: For some demonstrators it was a family affair with some parents taking their children along for a day out - with protective masks absent from most faces
Anti-lockdown protests drew hundreds of people into the streets of New Hampshire Saturday, after Governor Chris Sununu's extended the state's stay-at-home order Friday.
The order was due to expire on May 4 but Sununu extended it until May 31, while relaxing some restrictions and allowing parts of the economy to reopen.
Salons, barbershops, campgrounds, retail stores and golf courses can open from May 11, with certain restrictions and procedures.
But many feel the relaxation isn't enough, and around 400 people surrounded the statehouse in Concord Saturday to protest the move.
NEW HAMPSHIRE: Crowds ignored social distancing rules to pack into the area and wave banners calling for the state to reopen and proclaiming their support for Trump
NEW HAMPSHIRE: Slogans ranged from 'Vietnamese Americans for Trump 2020', 'Real life = Zero risk' and 'Stand up for your rights. Do it for your kids'
NEW HAMPSHIRE: The protest comes as the state's death toll continues to rise with 81 deaths and 2,310 cases
NEW HAMPSHIRE: Protesters without face masks held up banners saying 'How many lives has lockdown cost?' and 'Is the cure worse than the disease?'
Some protesters were decked out in camouflage clothing and carried weapons.
For other demonstrators it was more of a family affair with some parents taking their children along for a day out - with protective masks absent from most faces.
Crowds ignored social distancing rules to pack into the area and wave banners calling for the state to reopen and proclaiming their support for Trump.
Slogans ranged from 'Vietnamese Americans for Trump 2020', 'Real life = Zero risk' and 'Stand up for your rights. Do it for your kids.'
In one image two people are seen shaking hands with one another while one little girl was seen holding a banner saying 'In God we trust'.
The crowd reportedly drew people from all political parties but many were seen sporting Trump paraphernalia and 'Make America Great Again' signs.
The protest comes as the state's death toll continues to rise with 81 deaths and 2,310 cases.
NEW HAMPSHIRE: One protester wears a mask to hide their face at Saturday's protest
NEW HAMPSHIRE: The crowd reportedly drew people from all political parties but many were seen sporting Trump paraphernalia and 'Make America Great Again' signs
NEW HAMPSHIRE: A few people were seen sporting face masks in the crowd but most were not
NEW HAMPSHIRE: Protests have been going on for weeks in the US as states begin to flatten the curve and the spread of the virus begins to slow
Anti-lockdown protesters also marched on the capitol building in Salem, Oregon, Saturday, and were met by healthcare workers counter-protesting.
Around 300 people ignored the rainy weather to rally outside the statehouse in anger at Governor Kate Brown's executive order that shut down much of the state's economy and imposed social distancing.
The ReOpen Oregon Rally, hosted by Oregon Uniting for Liberty, drew masses of crowds young and old with few wearing masks to protect them from the virus.
OREGON: Anti-lockdown protesters also marched on the capitol building in Salem, Oregon, Saturday
OREGON: Around 300 people ignored the rainy weather to rally outside the statehouse in anger at Governor Kate Brown's executive order that shut down much of the state's economy and imposed social distancing
OREGON: A man rides on top of a car and waves an American flag as he protests against lockdown
OREGON: The ReOpen Oregon Rally, hosted by Oregon Uniting for Liberty, drew masses of crowds young and old with few wearing masks to protect them from the virus
Many people held Trump signs aloft while others held signs featuring the conspiracy theory QAnon, which has alleged the Democratic Party runs a child sex-trafficking ring.
Others held banners with slogans such as 'We are all essential', 'Disinfect Government', and
Healthcare workers staged a counter protest on the capitol steps, saying the stay-at-home order and social distancing is working to flatten the curve and save lives.
The anti-lockdown protest comes as Brown has resisted calls to join other states who are starting to reopen.
On Friday, Brown said she is considering opening rural counties with low infection rates from May 15 but insisted the rest of Oregon will reopen slowly and not in 'one fell swoop.'
OREGON: Many people held Trump signs aloft while others held signs featuring the conspiracy theory QAnon, which has alleged the Democratic Party runs a child sex-trafficking ring
OREGON: Others held banners with slogans such as 'We are all essential', 'Disinfect Government'
OREGON: The anti-lockdown protest comes as Brown has resisted calls to join other states who are starting to reopen
OREGON: On Friday, Brown said she is considering opening rural counties with low infection rates from May 15 but insisted the rest of Oregon will reopen slowly and not in 'one fell swoop'
OREGON: Several governors have relaxed restrictions, but many Americans are still angry with the lockdowns which they say have taken away their freedom and created irreparable damage to peoples' jobs and the economy
No comments