The trucker convoy is a sign that Canada is on the cusp of its own Jan. 6, with Conservatives taking a page from Donald Trump’s playbook.
theconversation.com
For those who have seen the "Freedom Convoy" protests in Canada, and the fact the Conservatives have a very Trump-style interim leader at the moment, this is an interesting article. Remember, this isn't a "news article," it is an academic commentary from a Law Professor. So this is meant to give an opinion, but it is from someone who knows the law and has some basis in fact.
They point out issues around it including a lack of education based on "rights," and even which government to complain to. (They are going FUCK TRUDEAU, when a lot of the restrictions they are protesting are the responsibility of Provincial governments) and even the dangers of radical white supremacism in Canada. Interesting read.
And for context, there have been uses of Nazi flags, confederate flags during the protests (not from everyone, but still there) and the organizers, while they denounced the swastika, did not denounce any other hate flags used. They also desecrated statutes and bullied homeless shelters into feeding them, harassed local shops in Ottawa who told them to wear a mask, and etc.
The convoy organizers also have promoted things such as homophobia and racism, as seen in this example from their Facebook page.
Why does this concern me?
Well three reasons.
First of all, this is up my ally in terms of education. Political science and legal issues, yes. Especially since I got my bachelor's during the rise of Trump and this was something I studied and was worried from in real time.
Two, AS A TRANSWOMAN THIS IS CONCERNING! Even if I am not out to most people I know irl, this adds to the fear that myself and countless members of the LGBTQ+ community has coming out.
Three, I'm seeing it manipulate some of my own family. I have an Uncle who is a trucker and even though I know he is a bit more conservative, and has said some uneducated things in the past, I normally have never associated it with this extreme version. However, since they have used the guise of "Supporting Truckers/First-line workers" it is manipulating him. It is kind of the same for my Aunt. Like she sees me as one of her favourites so I'm decently close to her. But because she is supporting her husband, I saw her share a lot of stuff related to this early on. Granted that she has toned it down A LOT since they hit Ottawa and even my Uncle to a degree, we really saw the dark-side of this, but it is hitting home and the people I care about.