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The Canadian Truckers Have a Point About Border Security Theater

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A protest group composed of Canadian truckers is decrying the mandate to immunize truckers crossing borders. Since January 15, all truckers entering Canada must present proof of vaccination. Foreign truckers who are not vaccinated are not allowed into the country. Canadian truckers that have been vaccinated are permitted to re-enter the country following a U.S. shipment are subject to testing, and are placed under a 14-day quarantine.

It’s a bit of security theatre (truckers do not need to have vaccinated when driving in Canada. So why should they be upon entry? Why single truckers out over all other workers? hasn’t gone over so well. A massive protest convoy of truckers drove to Ottawa in protest, and one response was a “freedom convoy”. There are reports that the truckers were in their hundreds, while the crowd of demonstrators was in the thousands. Alaska truckers held a solidarity protest.

The protests have been peaceful and largely without incident—which makes reactions to them from media outlets and Canadian leaders especially odd. Canadian leaders and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have focused on condemning the entire protestor group based only reports of some disgusting antics.

Trudeau stated Monday that Canadians were “shocked and disgusted” by protestors in Ottawa. were not like the Black Lives Matter protestsHe supported.

Trudeau charged protesters with “steal”[ing]”Food from the Homeless,” as well as “hurl”[ing]Insults and abuses at small-business workers,” flying “racist Flags,” participating in vandalism, “dishonor”[ing]The memory of our veterans” and “hateful rhetoric.”

All of these accusations seem to stem from—and be quite the exaggerated take on—a few isolated incidents. (It’s almost as if people would prefer to address these outliers than the substance of the protests…)

The allegations of vandalism and dishonoring veterans stem from one woman dancing on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, while others peed at National War Memorial. Also, the flag of Terry Fox was turned upside-down and a sign declaring “mandate for freedom” was placed inside the statue’s arms. Ottawa police also arrested protesters for parking at the war memorial. say(They moved when you asked.

After an Ottawa soup kitchen, the claim that someone stole from the homeless was made. saidSeveral protestors “harassed” staff members for eating. It was also stated that some protestors threatened to assault a security officer who requested services.

It seems that the claims of racist and hateful rhetoric are based on multiple swastikas found in one protestor.

Although it is possible that there were some random neo-Nazis who joined the protests. It’s not impossible to see how the swastikas was intended. SupportFor Nazis, but as an absurdly exaggerated but common point about people who have passed vaccine mandates.

It is also not clear if the truckers involved in this protest were protesting or just wanting to cause chaos.

Regardless, it’s never really fair to tar entire protest movements based on the antics of a few people—something folks on the left ShouldYou should be. Opponents have used violence and vandalism to attack the entire movement during protests against police abuse and racial justice. This was stupid then as it is now.

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Whoopi Goldberg was suspended The ViewOver Holocaust CommentsAlthough the actress was a bit ignorant, it wasn’t a surprise. maliciousThey are now being criticised for making false claims regarding the Holocaust. Goldberg claimed the Holocaust was about “man’s inhumanity to man” and “not about race,” saying it involved  “two white groups of people.” Kim Godwin, president of ABC News said that Goldberg had been suspended because she made “unfair and hurtful remarks.” Because nothing is ever a simple mistake these days, Goldberg has been accused of supporting fascists.

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