Thousands of Albertans are headed to the Legislature in Edmonton to protest COVID-19 mandates and restrictions..The Edmonton police released an advisory Saturday morning warning the planned protest will likely result in traffic delays..“Motorists should be advised that trucking convoys in support of this week’s national convoy to Ottawa may be coming from various parts of Alberta to Edmonton today, converging at the legislature grounds,” Edmonton Police Service spokeswoman Cheryl Voordenhout said in the release..“The convoys are anticipated to affect Edmonton traffic anywhere between the hours of 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Traffic impacts may include Anthony Henday Drive, Yellowhead Trail, Gateway Boulevard, and roadways in the Downtown core.”.In an advisory Saturday morning, the EPS said traffic delays may result as groups of truckers and their supporters head to the Alberta legislature from the Acheson industrial area..Jolynne and Jamie Miller are making the trek from Calgary to Edmonton to join the rally. The husband and wife travelled to Edmonton Friday night and are preparing to join the convoy from Nisku, a small hamlet and industrial park just south of the city of Edmonton..“The convoy is about 45 kilometres long,” said Jolynne Miller as she and her husband sat on the outskirts of Edmonton waiting to join the convoy..“It’s pretty amazing here, the energy here is incredible.”.Kathy Varga is also travelling to Edmonton and posted this video on Facebook showing a long line of vehicles set to join the northbound convoy from Ponoka..“This is massive!” said Varga..“Everyone is waving and cheering and standing on overpasses. It’s an amazing show of unity.”.Varga told the Western Standard roughly 150 vehicles and trucks joined the convoy from Ponoka..“It was a sight to behold. It gave us goosebumps.”.Varga said she parked along the highway at Ponoka and watched the rigs join the convoy while blowing their horns..“I won’t forget those horns of freedom,” Varga said..“Who would have thought, Canada does have a backbone.”.A United for Freedom rally is also scheduled for 1 p.m. MST in Calgary at Central Memorial Park..A post shared by Calgary Freedom Central says the rally will include speeches followed by a “peaceful march down the Freedom Mile in support of our truckers arriving in Ottawa.”.More to come….Melanie Risdon is a reporter with the Western Standard.,.mrisdon@westernstandardonline.com
