Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
Philippians 2:3-4
This week there was a post on a local social media site that called on the residents of my community to show support for the “freedom convoy” that was going to pass close by. The post urged locals to “take their American flags and wave support to the truckers for freedom as they pass through the area.” It also read, “Go out and show your support for freedom and encourage these truckers in voicing what Americans want. Freedom as it has always been.”
The “freedom convoy” erupted last month in Canada’s capital of Ottawa, as a protest of vaccine mandates for truckers who wish to cross the US-Canada border. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government announced last November that all Canadian truckers looking to cross the border from the United States would need to be vaccinated in order to avoid a 14-day quarantine. Although over 90% of Candian truckers are vaccinated, this movement has morphed into a global far-right fringe movement. We all know that mask and COVID-19 vaccination mandates have been a rallying cry for the right, claiming government overreach and infringement of individual freedom.
Fox News personality Tucker Carlson often rants about such mandates, and not so recently stated that Trudeau’s declaration of a state of emergency to remove the truckers who were negatively affecting supply chain routes as an attack on democracy. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton publicly voiced their support for the Canadian “protestors.” In an interview with Rolling Stone, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) stated “The Canadian truckers are heroes,” “They are patriots and they are marching for your freedom and for my freedom. They’re defending Canada, but they’re defending America as well.”
Here again, Republican politicians taking the lead from their favorite network.
However, isn’t it ironic that Republicans who bashed Black Lives Matter demonstrations are now singing the praises of unlawful anti-vax protests wreaking havoc on international commerce?
During the summer of 2020, when Black Lives Matter demonstrations broke out in cities all across the nation, Republicans were up in arms. Although the demonstrations were overwhelmingly peaceful, the GOP painted a picture of violence, destruction, and disregard for law and order. As a result, several GOP-dominated states went on to pass anti-protest bills. Last April, Florida Governor Rick De Santis signed into law the “strongest anti-rioting, pro-law enforcement measure in the country.” The law denies bail for defendants accused of criminal activity during a protest until their first appearance in court (however, back in September, Florida’s “anti-riot” law was ruled unconstitutional by a federal judge). Last year, the state of Oklahoma signed a law that protects drivers who “unintentionally” hit or injure protesters while fleeing a protest. In all, GOP lawmakers in 34 states have introduced 81 anti-protest bills during last year’s 2021 legislative session.
In the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the fact that the Ukrainians are defending their country with everything they have while losing their lives in the battle for Democracy makes the “freedom convoy” look like a totally meaningless farcical exercise in selfishness and entitlement. Right now, hundreds of anti-war protestors are being arrested all across cities in Russia. Putin’s brutal and unjust invasion is taking place during an unprecedented crackdown on Russian citizens in opposition to the war, with most protest leaders assassinated, imprisoned, or forced out of the country.
Meanwhile, here in the US, Fox News talking heads and the “former guy” openly praise Putin’s move to take Ukraine, all the while calling for truckers to protest for their “freedom” from “oppressive” and “fascist” mask and vaccine mandates.
Methinks that Americans may be a bit confused as to what freedom really is: Freedom is not about autonomy, it is about the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without restraint. Those calling for freedom are really calling for autonomy, or the ability to act on their own selfish values and interests.
As the Ukrainians fight for the right to govern themselves without restraint from Moscow, here in the US, the right is fighting for self-serving autonomy, not freedom.