Convoy of protestors, including Proud Boys, brings COVID, other grievances to downtown Raleigh
An event billed as a truck drivers' protest against COVID restrictions drew a wide variety of voices to downtown Raleigh on Friday afternoon. Some of the participants' messages had nothing to do with the pandemic.
WRAL's Bryan Mims followed the convoy of about 50 people from Mebane to Raleigh, where they assembled at the North Carolina Legislative Building. Although the event was advertised as a protest by truck drivers, most people who joined in were in cars or pick-up trucks, and only one tractor trailer appeared to be participating, Mims said.
The convoy arrived in downtown Raleigh at around 1:30 p.m.
Protest leaders shared conspiracy theories about pharmaceutical companies, about China and questioned what is known about the origin of the COVID-19 virus.
Timothy Paul, a Raleigh resident, was holding a megaphone and seen shouting at cars and at a small group of counter-protesters waving Black Lives Matter flags. Other protesters attempted to calm Paul down, and told him that the counter-protesters were "not worth" his energy.
A small group of Proud Boys, a far-right fascist group known for their street violence, was also downtown sporting flags that said they were "proudly unvaccinated."
Demonstrators complained about the education system and riots in the summer of 2020 after the police killing of George Floyd, and they recited conspiracy theories about how the 2020 election was stolen from former President Donald Trump.
"This is about government overreach," Paul said in an interview with WRAL News. He said he doubts the effectiveness of face masks and coronavirus vaccines.
At around 3 p.m., one of the counter-protestors started arguing with Paul from across the street. Capitol police officers were gathered around the Black Lives Matter protesters, who were closer to the North Carolina Legislative Building.
Raleigh police placed "No Parking" signs on streets surrounding the building of the North Carolina Legislative Building. The parking ban extends from 8 a.m. on Friday until 5 p.m. on Sunday.
While there was plenty of shouting, the demonstration remained peaceful.
A State Capitol Police spokesman sent WRAL News a statement saying the agency "will be monitoring events [Friday] and through the weekend; however, we cannot discuss details of security plans."
WRAL News obtained an email sent to employees of a state agency saying "there will be street closures."
"As of right now," it says, "both Jones Street and Lane Street will be closed for a two-block stretch beginning at Blount Street and ending at Salisbury Street."
The convoy was originally scheduled to leave for Raleigh at 9 a.m. for Washington, D.C., but an organizer told WRAL News plans changed.
Similar trucker protests have already happened in Canada, and another convoy is headed to Washington, D.C., this weekend.
The demonstration has been inspired by the often tumultuous trucker protest in Canada in recent weeks. National Guard troops and local police are preparing to deal with massive traffic backups and attempts to blockade downtown Washington.
