A bridge linking a major international shipping route between the U.S. and Canada is blocked, thanks to a weeks-long protest by truckers in that country who are against COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
“Cameras over the highway on I-94 depicted a massive traffic jam building up near Port Huron, where the only bridge port of entry linking Canada to the U.S. that remained open became overwhelmed with diverted truck traffic,” according to WJBK.
Ambassador Bridge has been gridlocked for three days, as truckers say they have never seen so much traffic on that stretch of road.
WJBK says the Canadian Freedom Convoy truckers in Windsor are to blame for the backup.
“The weeks-long protest that planted itself in Windsor has spilled into an international incident that could be costing companies hundreds of millions of dollars in supply chain costs,” that news outlet said.
In what Fortune calls “the latest obstacle for an auto industry that has been struggling to navigate a pandemic and global semiconductor shortage that have made vehicle production erratic,” the Freedom Convoy is making life particularly difficult for the auto industry.
Ambassador Bridge is the prime route used to ship cars between the United States and Canada.
The truckers are demanding an end to vaccine mandates and other COVID-19 restrictions in the country, much to the chagrin of the country’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The mayor of Ottawa, the capital city of the country and the epicenter of the protest, declared a state of emergency earlier this week.
The truckers have simply parked their rigs and honked their horns in a peaceful act of defiance.
Wednesday, Ottawa police issued orders for the truckers to disperse, threatening them with charges of “mischief to property.”
“The unlawful act of blocking streets in the downtown core is resulting in people being denied the lawful use, enjoyment and operation of their property,” the order said. “We are providing you notice that anyone blocking streets or assisting others in the blocking of streets may be committing a criminal offence.”
“You must immediately cease further unlawful activity or you may face charges. You could be arrested without a warrant for this offence if you are a party to the offence or assisting others in the direct or indirect commission in this offence.”
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Pete D’Abrosca is a contributor at The Michigan Star and The Star News Network. Follow Pete on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Image “Traffic Jam” by MDOT.
