RI Trucking President on Canadian Convoy Protests -- Industry at "Tipping Point"

RI Trucking President on Canadian Convoy Protests -- Industry at "Tipping Point"

The head of the Rhode Island Trucking Association has weighed in on the convoy protests in Canada that have crippled commerce now for weeks — and the potential for such an action to occur in the U.S.  

This week, the Department of Homeland Security warned that a similar-style protest could take place around this weekend’s Super Bowl activities in Los Angeles. 

At the heart of the Canadian protest is the vaccine mandate as imposed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.  While a judge ruled on Friday for an end to the blockade at the Ambassador Bridge, a small group of protesters remained on Saturday. 

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Could truckers in Rhode Island use their role — and size — to stage a political protest? 

“I’ve been asked many times over the years about our industry’s intention and ability to shut down Rhode Island — over truck-only tolls,” Chris Maxwell, the President of the Rhode Island Trucking Association, told GoLocal. 

“My answer was always yes and no,” he continued. “Yes, much like we are seeing in Canada, we have the ability mobilize and cripple the very heart of the state’s supply chain.  But no, we would not engage in an action which defies and undermines our duty as an industry to move goods. Period!”

“That being said, while we’re not in favor of blockades such as that in Ottawa, we applaud the spirit of the convoy and the right of these truckers to organize safely and without incident,” said Maxwell.  

“Our industry is at a tipping point, and while RITA and the trucking federation have chosen to successfully fight the many challenges we face in both the legal and legislative arenas, case in point our role in striking down the vax mandate in the Supreme Court, we also recognize the very real frustration of some within our ranks which often manifests itself in actions ranging from a driver quietly leaving the industry to participation in a vocal protest,” he added.