Truckies have gathered at Reedy Creek on the Gold Coast for a Freedom of Choice rally in protest of mandated vaccines.
Drivers were mustering at the Reedy Creek Caltex from 6am in readiness for a southbound convoy along the Pacific Highway.
Reports say the truckies want mandatory vaccince for essential workers to be dropped and they want the country to “open up”.
“I’m standing up for everything I believe in and if I didn’t do that I don’t think I could live with myself,” said participant Tony Fulton in a video statement on his Facebook page Tones Truckin Stories yesterday.
“It’s about people joining together for their freedom of rights and choice and that’s the biggest thing here, and we’re only starting to see it in our indsutry now.
Fulton says it’s all about freedom of choice when it comes to the vaccine, but he’s adamant he’s not going to roll up his sleeve.
“I’m more scared of the vaccine than the virus: it scares the living hell out me.
“I don’t believe businesses, states or governments should be able to force this on you.”
#BREAKING: Truck drivers are right now protesting over mandatory vaccination on the Gold Coast. @JessMillward9 #9News pic.twitter.com/qQAMBBCiIU
— 9News Gold Coast (@9NewsGoldCoast) August 29, 2021
Fulton said he almost lot his job on Friday over mandated jabs, an issue that is becoming more prevalent in trucking by the day.
“Peoople are being forced to have a tough conversation wiht their employer and I was almost on my arse.”
Dozens of truck drivers are leading a protest on the Gold Coast this morning, demanding the mandatory #COVID19 vaccine for essential workers be scrapped.
Traffic is heavily affected on the M1 southbound.
DETAILS: https://t.co/iOpByR8tuv#9News pic.twitter.com/3508M21rfr
— 9News Gold Coast (@9NewsGoldCoast) August 29, 2021
Morning breakfast program The Today Show reported that trucks had come to a stop on the M1 and traffic was already backing up just after 6am. Banners were draped between the heavy vehicles.
Some motorists in the vicinity of the protest have been beeping their horns in support.
Protest over. Truckies have moved on. Expect very long delays while traffic clears @TheTodayShow pic.twitter.com/Zv4AKATc6m
— Jess Millward (@JessMillward9) August 29, 2021
A short time ago, however, a tweet from a reporter on the same show said the protest was over and the trucks had moved on.
Queensland Police said delays were expected along the Pacific Motorway (M1) southbound near exit 86 “due to protest activity”.
“Diversions are in place and motorists are asked to avoid the area,” the police service stated.
More to come.