St. Louis County, Mo. — Hundreds of people lined I-44 and I-270 in St. Louis this morning in support of “The People’s Convoy”. The convoy of truckers and vehicles stretched miles-long and took more than 15 minutes to pass by.

What You Need To Know

  • Hundreds around St. Louis lined I-44 and I-270 to show support for the People's Convoy

  • The convoy consisted of dozens of tractor-trailer and vehicles stretching for miles

  • Some supporters told Spectrum News that they were there for freedom. One local entrepreneur said, "There should be no ‘essential business.’ Everybody’s essential, you decide whether you stay open or not.”

  • The People's Convoy left California on Feb. 23 and will reach Washington, D.C. on March 5

Eureka police blocked off Central Avenue for people to safely wave their American, pro-Trump and anti-Biden flags, hold up their signs and cheer for the tuckers and motorists driving eastbound on I-44.

The group says its mission is to protest COVID-19 mask and vaccination mandates. It is bringing its message on a cross-country trek to Washington D.C.

Some supporters told Spectrum News that they were there for freedom. 

“We’re out here to show our support to the convoy that’s standing up for our rights and freedoms against the mask mandates and against the vaccine mandates and all (of) the tyranny,” Will from Eureka said.

“You should have the freedom to shop where you want to shop, and shop without being oppressed — without having to have a mask or having a vaccine card. It’s ridiculous, it goes against what this country stands for,” said Will. He said he hopes more people will get involved in local, state and national government.

“We need new blood. We need new people in our government,” explained Will.

He added he is an entrepreneur and is “about the American freedom and the right to start your business and be in business.”

“And this tyranny went on where they shut down businesses, I saw a lot of my clients suffer for that,” said Will. “There should be no ‘essential business.’ Everybody’s essential, you decide whether you stay open or not.”

Becky Funston from House Springs said her granddaughter’s school still has a mask mandate.

“I hate it,” she said. 

Ryan Smith was at the Eureka I-44 overpass with his family to support the convoy. 

“We feel like we have to do something to get the message to the leaders in Washington D.C. (that) what they’re doing isn’t working for us,” Smith said.

Eureka resident Jackie Fanger said she wants the COVID emergency mandates to stop.

“We want our lives back and we want our freedom back,” she said.   

A Eureka fire truck was also there with a raised American flag.

The convoy’s next stop is Indianapolis. It left California on Feb. 23 with about two dozen trucks and a number of other vehicles. People have lined the interstates and overpasses waving flags and signs to show their support. Convoy vehicles carried signs with slogans such as “Legalize freedom” and “Let them breathe.”

“To the truck drivers around the world: Now is your time to stand up. Now is your time to usher in a renaissance time of freedom,” truck driver and event organizer Brian Brase said to a crowd at the beginning of the journey.”

The group pledged a “100% safe, lawful and peaceful journey” that will “terminate in the vicinity of the DC area, but will NOT be going into DC proper.” Arrival was scheduled for March 5.

The U.S. Capitol Police are beefing up security for the State of the Union address Tuesday and ahead of the group’s arrival in the Washington, D.C. area. The police have beefed up security for planned protects in the area since the Jan. 6 unrest last year.

You can learn more information at thepeoplesconvoy.org.