TRUCKER ALERT: Nationwide planned protests scheduled for this afternoon
Juneteenth celebrations and demonstrations are planned for this afternoon in virtually every city in the United States. Juneteenth marks the day when, on June 19, 1865, a Union Army general read federal orders in Galveston, Texas, proclaiming that enslaved people were free, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued.
This year, the annual celebration falls on a Friday followed by a month of both peaceful and not-so-peaceful protests across the nation following the in-custody death of George Floyd, who was killed in Minneapolis by a police officer while in custody.
Protests are planned in nearly every city, with several cities cautioning that local Interstates might be blocked as part of these protests. The city of Vancouver sent a message to cities leaders yesterday reporting a planned protest between Portland and Vancouver that will likely block Interstate 5 in both directions and “could affect the evening commute for neighbors who use I-5.”
Truckers heading near or through metro areas are being warned of potential traffic delays as protesters might block highways as part of Juneteenth celebrations. Today would be a good day to make sure your CB is working and listen for updates from other drivers.
