A truck drives past the Bradley Boulevard overpass with a Canadian and American Flag.

WAMU/DCist / Tyrone Turner

The convoy of truckers that’s been hanging out in Maryland and riding around area highways for over a week drove into D.C. proper on Monday, causing heavy traffic and closed roadways.

I-395, I-695, and I-295 were impacted by “several” closures as of mid-afternoon Monday, according to a spokesperson for D.C. police.

“We do not have a list as these rolling road closures are occurring in real-time as they are needed, and will be lifted as soon as they are no longer necessary,” the spokesperson wrote in an email to DCist/WAMU.

According to the Washington Post, the convoy entered D.C. through the 14th Street Bridge on I-395, and continued onto I-695. Their plan is to return to Hagerstown, where they’ve been congregating at the Speedway track to coordinate their daily rides.

Dubbed The People’s Convoy, the group has been looping the Beltway for a week without much fuss. Monday marked the first time the convoy, which is ostensibly protesting pandemic restrictions and mandates, has entered the District. At one point last week, organizers met with GOP Sens. Ted Cruz and Ron Johnson, both of whom supported the group.

A convoy leader, Brian Brase, told the Washington Post that the group decided to enter D.C. on Monday to claim a “bigger presence.” They had submitted an application to stage a two-week long protest, beginning Monday, on the National Mall, but the National Park Service denied the group’s request.

It’s unclear when the group plans to disperse, or if it has plans to enter the city for another time. Brase told the Post they’re taking it “day-by-day.”

This story has been updated to correct that the group is gathering at the Hagerstown Speedway track.

Filed Under: truck convoy,