Despite smaller numbers than he anticipated, Bob Bolus Thursday said the convoy he led to the nation’s capital accomplished its goals and their message was delivered loud and clear. Bolus, who owns a truck parts and towing business in Dunmore, said he was one of five people in the country who are organizing truck convoys to participate in a protest along the Capital Beltway in Washington D.C. Read more at timesleader.com.
                                 Submitted photo

Despite smaller numbers than he anticipated, Bob Bolus Thursday said the convoy he led to the nation’s capital accomplished its goals and their message was delivered loud and clear. Bolus, who owns a truck parts and towing business in Dunmore, said he was one of five people in the country who are organizing truck convoys to participate in a protest along the Capital Beltway in Washington D.C. Read more at timesleader.com.

Submitted photo

Bolus claims convoy a success; message delivered ‘loud and clear’

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DUNMORE — Despite smaller numbers than he anticipated, Bob Bolus Thursday said the convoy he led to the nation’s capital accomplished its goals and their message was delivered loud and clear.

Bolus, who owns a truck parts and towing business in Dunmore, said he was one of five people in the country who are organizing truck convoys to participate in a protest along the Capital Beltway in Washington D.C.

“We stood our ground,” Bolus said Thursday. “But many of the truckers did not show up because they were fearful of losing their trucks. If they all followed us, they would have helped to make our point as we drove around the beltway. The fact is, many were afraid to go.”

Despite the smaller than expected number of participants, Bolus said the message was sent to the Biden Administration and the Democrats in Congress that truckers have the power to shut down the U.S. economy.

“We are Americans and this is our country,” Bolus said. “And we need to have the freedom to do what we want. We’re the power. The transportation industry is in control of the economy in this country. We are hopeful that they paid attention and we get something resolved.

Bolus called the convoy a peaceful protest. He said there was never any trouble along the way or on the beltway.

“I think we intimidated them,” Bolus said. “We’ve been recognized world-wide.”

Bolus said at one point 30 to 40 trucks and other vehicles were in the convoy, but many left before getting to the beltway.

“They just broke off,” Bolus said. They never showed up at the beltway.”

According to The Associated Press, a small convoy of truckers demanding an end to coronavirus mandates began a cross-country drive from California to the Washington, D.C., area on Wednesday.

Convoy vehicles carried signs with slogans such as “Legalize freedom” and “Let them breathe.”

It was one of several U.S. convoys organized online and modeled on the recent Canadian truckers’ protests that shut down U.S.-Canadian border crossings and besieged the streets of the capital, Ottawa, for weeks. The convoys all have different starting points, departure dates and routes.

Bolus said he and the four other organizers of the trucker convoys/protests have been invited to speak before Congress on March 7. He said he is awaiting credentials to assure access.

“We intend to give them our plans on what we want to see happen in this country,” Bolus said.

Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.