EU face another major protest as Dutch truckers first to follow in Canada demonstration

The European Union has been experiencing severe lorry delays over recent months as the continent continues to recover from coronavirus disruptions. The bloc’s haulage issue seems to be on track to be further exacerbated as the Dutch began showing their solidarity to Canadian truckers protesting Covid policies and vaccine mandates. Footage has now emerged on social media showing Dutch lorry drivers seemingly setting up their own “freedom convoy” to demonstrate against Amsterdam’s own policies against the coronavirus.

The hauliers could be seen driving down a local road in Friesland, honking as they passed by the person filming them.

Eight lorries were filmed queuing up, with traffic slowing down behind them.

Leading European Union member states, including France, Germany and the Netherlands, have been suffering severe issues with the haulage industry due to loss of drivers and severe delays.

Overall, an estimated 75 trucks gathered across the region urging colleagues to join in against Covid rules.

Further protests were scheduled to take place across The Netherlands through Sunday.

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However, the demonstration was branded “disappointing” as only one trucker and a few tractors showed up in Groningen.

The Netherlands has seen several protests over the past month, with people lamenting Mark Rutte’s strict Covid rules as well as the growing price of petrol.

The Dutch experienced one of the toughest lockdowns in Europe after Mr Rutte called a one-month complete shutdown ahead of the Christmas holidays.

The Dutch hauliers were following in the footsteps of thousands of their Canadian counterparts, who staged a demonstration in Ottawa against Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

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Mr Bazinet said: “It’s not just about the vaccines. It’s about stopping the public health mandates altogether.”

Due to security concerns, Prime Minister Trudeau and his family left their downtown Ottawa home due to security concerns, the CBC reported.

His office said it does not comment on security matters.

Earlier this week Trudeau said the convoy represented a “small fringe minority” who do not represent the views of Canadians. About 90% of Canada’s cross-border truckers and 77 percent of the population have had two COVID vaccination shots.