The Canadian Freedom Convoy is an ongoing protest currently taking place within Canada with plans to enter the United States.

Those taking part within the protest are taking a stand against a Canadian law, introduced Jan. 29, 2022, which requires foreign truckers that enter the country by land to be fully vaccinated.

Canada’s original rule when it came to vaccinations was made in conjunction with the United States and based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The protests are ongoing as of February 10, 2022.

A spokeswoman for the group, Tamara Lich, reportedly said that the protestors “would not stay a day longer than necessary. Our departure will be based on the Prime Minister doing what is right.”

As of the afternoon of Feb. 10, the Ontario government has gone to extreme lengths to cut down the protest as much as possible, and they recently made it a criminal offense for anyone to financially support the Freedom Convoy through donation app GiveSendGo.

This action takes place not long after GoFundMe took down the original campaign for the group violating their policy on harassment.

These actions seem to only fuel the protests, with the demonstrators recently blocking off the Ambassador Bridge, a major trade bridge used to ship things from Canada to Detroit. The bridge blockage caused major economic ramifications.

Those controlling the borders and shipping aren’t the only ones affected by the ongoing protests.

Students within the area are also being punished, despite having no involvement and merely being bystanders to the ongoing restrictions. For those who frequently have to cross the border, specifically international students, the protests are greatly affecting their ability to come and go.

International student Noelani Maynard shared her thoughts on the protest demonstrations.

“It’s interesting to me how they say they’re advocating for freedom, yet have been blocking off schools and businesses by keeping their trucks in the middle of the busy streets of downtown Ottawa and Toronto and harassing bystanders who choose to wear a mask.” says Maynard, a student at Ryerson University.

While the convoy began in Prince Rupert, a port city in British Columbia, the demonstration has moved multiple locations.

From Prince George to Kenora, Ontario, and all the way to the Greater Toronto Area.

Ryerson University is located within Toronto, and the area was hit heavily when it came to the Freedom Convoy’s arrival.

“Part of the street I live on actually shut down for a few days. The rally started in Ottawa and when they announced that they were going to drive down here, Toronto immediately started preparing; they shut some streets down, told people not to wear masks or healthcare uniforms outside because they were being harassed both verbally and physically by these protestors…” Maynard said, “I definitely can hear them when they honk their horns excessively, but I’ve been doing everything I can to avoid that area because being a teenage girl alone in this city is scary enough as it is.”