‘Election Convoy’ in Disarray After Leader Quits and Police Warn ‘Slow Rolls’ are Illegal
Election Convoy gets lost into confusion one day before big event as leader quits and supporters ask if they’ve all been duped by a “psyop”?
The wheels are coming off the so-called “Election Convoy” one day ahead of planned “slow rolls” to create nation-wide traffic jams with the goal of forcing Justin Trudeau to end the prorogation of parliament and call an early election.
On Friday, Election Convoy organizers announced one top leader had quit and tried to cancel their planned “slow roll” into Ottawa. This development comes only the morning after the Ontario Provincial Police issued a public statement warning that “slow-rolling traffic” on highways is illegal.
Meanwhile, confused convoy supporters are wondering what is going on with this convoy — and could they have all been duped by a “psyop”?
Election Convoy leader quits, supporters told to ‘slow roll’ on their own
In a statement posted entirely in capslock, an admin on the Election Convoy’s Facebook Group announced that Qweenie, leader of the convoy’s “slow roll” into Ottawa, had “left as an organizer”:
“Head organizer has tried to cancel this slow roll and has left as organizer.
It’s not cancelled, if you start something you can’t just walk away from it.”
Given the “confusion,” convoy participants were advised to “please lead a slow roll from Arnprior to the destination of your choice”:
If you are attending tomorrow, please lead a slow roll from Arnprior to the destination of your choice. Sorry for the confusion!”
Qweenie did not reply to a request from ConvoyWatch to clarify the accuracy of the statement, but the convoy organizer did announce her departure from the convoy during an earlier hour-long livestream:
“I’m going to be stepping back from the convoy and what’s going on there.”
Speaking into her cell phone while seated in her car as the song “Still D.R.E.” by Dr. Dre is heard in the background, Qweenie explained:
“We now have come to the conclusion that maybe my purpose here wasn’t to come and do the convoy. My purpose here was for them to find me, to take my part with bringing the east and the west together.”
Qweenie had previously given out instructions, illustrated on a 1960s map, directing vehicles to “slow roll” at 60 km/h down Ottawa’s Queensway before exiting at Kent Street and looping up to Parliament Hill.
Ontario Provincial Police: Slow Rolls are Illegal
Another issue complicating the Election Convoy’s planned “slow roll” is that it is quite likely illegal.
The OPP, which has jurisdiction over Ontario provincial highways, confirmed to ConvoyWatch that it is monitoring the Election Convoy and “reached out to organizers” about the “dangers posed by such an event”:
“The OPP is aware of the potential for some type of rolling demonstration on Saturday, January 25th on highways in the Ottawa area.
The OPP fully respects the rights of Canadians to participate in safe, peaceful and lawful demonstrations, but slow-moving traffic on a major highway can result in serious collisions and is a danger to the public.
Members of the OPP Provincial Liaison Team have reached out to organizers to ensure they are aware of the dangers posed by such an event and the legal implications of doing so. The Criminal Code includes a section {423(1)(g)} that states “no one has the right to block or disrupt traffic on public highways.” The Highway Traffic Act (section 132) also prohibits dangerously or unnecessarily slow driving. Even if someone isn’t charged during a protest, charges can be laid later.”
The OPP issued a public statement Thursday directed Election Convoy participants warning them that “slow-rolling traffic” is illegal:
Is the Election Convoy a ‘psyop’?
The sense of disarray and disorganization around the Election Convoy is also leaving many of the convoy’s own supporters scratching their heads.
Almost the entirey of the Election Convoy has been organized on Facebook using Facebook Groups and private group chats, connecting hundreds of people who do not know one another in real life and, in some cases, do not even use their real names.
In one private group chat for the Halifax slow roll, participants expressed frustration over the lack of organization and clarity over who the organizers even are, prompting one to wonder if the whole thing is “some type of psyop”:
“At this point, I gather this is some type of psyop, there’s no organizer, no plan, no route … there’s nothing. I’ve spent two weeks trying to get someone to answer questions or identify themselves as an organizer to no avail.”
The Election Convoy has been publicly disavowed by multiple leaders of the original Freedom Convoy, including Chris Barber and Tom Quiggin.