This past weekend, thousands of people as part of what’s being called the “freedom convoy.”
What started as a protest over the federal government’s Jan. 15 vaccine mandate that — — has evolved into something much more sinister.
Starting last week in Delta, B.C., the convoy has attracted support from across the country.
People have come from to meet in Ottawa, , , and .
The convoy says it will stay in Ottawa until it hears from the federal government. The movement has been or at the very least encouraging the participation of Canada’s far-right.
Who is participating?
The convoy was started by . Reports have shown that , or members of the far-right themselves, are behind much of the organizing.
For example, Tamara Lich, , formally affiliated with , began a GoFundMe for the convoy which, as of Feb. 1, had raised over $9.5 million.
When asked about the convoy Lich .
Another convoy leader, Dave Steenburg, has been sharing and has even shared posts depicting war crime punishments for those who have legislated and enforced COVID-19 mandates.
Steenburg made headlines when he posted a Soldiers of Odin logo (a known far-right hate group) with captions encouraging Canadians to stand up for their rights.
Patrick King, another organizer stated that he believes the vaccine was created to . And B.J. Dichter, another convoy participant, is known for spewing .
While some have stated the convoy is about the vaccine mandates, others have claimed that this is a national movement about general rights and freedoms and government interference.
This isn’t a homogeneous movement, and it has even been criticized from within the industry — most truckers are complying with the mandate. and . Some have also spoken out against the convoy calling it “.”
Those in the industry participating in the “freedom convoy” make up a very small minority of truckers in Canada.
Freedom for whom?
Because of what’s happening, many Ottawa residents currently feel , the antithesis of freedom.
Members of the Canadian far-right have been present in both , and their participation is troubling.
We need to be asking how far-right groups got involved in the convoy, what their roles are and how a ” has drawn so many supporters.
The Canadian far-right movement has grown in , and many have raised concerns about . There are also growing concerns over how its supporters .
Many infamous far-right riots originate and continue online well after protests are finished — . Some far-right groups have also influenced offline politics and political parties, suggesting the possibility of far-right movements, or their political platforms, .
The “freedom convoy” is just one iteration of how the far-right can and does mobilize willing participants into their movements under the guise of moral freedoms and rights.
Reports have lodged concerns that the convoy may add fuel to .
This past week’s events have overshadowed many communities’ mourning. While the convoy rolled toward Ottawa, .
Some part of the convoy during . And an in-person vigil to commemorate the anniversary of the Québec City mosque attack was cancelled in Ottawa due to .
At a time when the nation should be rallying around these issues, fighting against structural violence for our communities, time, resources and attention are being given to this “freedom” convoy.
Kayla Preston is a SSHRC Joseph- Armand Bombardier scholar
