From Vernon to Osoyoos, Highway 97 congested by convoy against COVID-19 vaccine mandates and restrictions

Hundreds of vehicles, mostly pickup trucks, were seen rolling south down Highway 97 again this weekend for another Okanagan protest against COVID-19 vaccine mandates and restrictions.

Aside from honking, the Canadian flag is the most common symbol being embraced by members of the local convoy. A few trucks were waving “F*** Trudeau” flags and displaying messages complaining about public health orders.

Groups of mostly pickups were waiting at gas stations along Highway 97 to join in. There were 250 vehicles displaying symbols associated with the protest when they rolled through Summerland around noon on Feb. 5.

Today's convoy started at the weigh scales north of Vernon and will conclude in Osoyoos, as it did last Saturday. It is one of many demonstrations currently happening in support of the greater trucker protest in Ottawa, where demonstrators have gathered from across the country.

The “Freedom Convoy 2022” originally left for nation’s capital to oppose COVID-19 vaccine mandates for truckers crossing the U.S. border, but some protesters are now demanding that every pandemic-related restriction is lifted across the country.

The Okanagan rallies have not mentioned any ill will towards the media, however today’s event being held by “Freedom Kamloops” has shifted its focus towards anti-media rhetoric.

As many as 400 trucks and 2,000 people may be joining the protest in Ottawa this weekend.

READ MORE: 'All options on the table' to end protest ensnaring Ottawa, says police chief

A GoFundMe page for “Freedom Convoy 2022” raised more than $10 million but the website has decided to refund all the money to the donors.

"Gofundme supports peaceful protests and we believe that was the intention of the Freedom Convoy 2022 fundraiser when it was first created," reads a statement from the site. "However, as a result of multiple discussions with local law enforcement and police reports of violence and other unlawful activity, the Freedom Convoy fundraiser has been removed from the gofundme platform."

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