Convoy groups led by American truck drivers are making their way towards the nation's capital to demand an end to all COVID-19 mandates and restrictions.
Protesters, along with members of at least three different convoy groups, are expected to arrive in Washington, DC over the coming weekend.
The convoys follow the lead of Canadian protesters who spent three weeks demonstrating against the COVID-19 mandate in late January, crossing three US borders and crippling downtown Ottawa.
Canadian police arrested more than 100 people when the so-called "Freedom Convoy" turned violent after truck drivers blocked roads and harassed residents by honking.
Other "freedom convoys" in Europe, including groups in France and Belgium, resulted in protesters blocking traffic and law enforcement responding with tear gas and arrests.
With the COVID-19 mandate already in place across the country in line with falling infection numbers, protesters are still showing up with demands.
Here's what you need to know about them:
Who is participating in the convoy groups?
Several groups from across the country are taking part in the protest, including some of the primary convoy, including the "People's Convoy," which has traveled across the country from California and is expected to arrive on Saturday.
The group, which has nearly 300,000 Facebook followers, will include truck drivers as well as others such as doctors, teachers and pilots.
Another group, which named itself the "American Freedom Convoy" and consists mostly of members from the Midwest, is also based in Washington, D.C. are leading, but are behind and will arrive around March 7.
It is not clear how many people or trucks will be involved in the convoy.
What do protesters want?
A common demand is coming from participating convoys: End the COVID-19 mandate, including mask and vaccine requirements.
"The average American worker needs to be able to end the economic hardships of the past two years and get back into the bread-making business," People's Convoy said in a news release.
“To that end, it is time for elected officials to work with America’s blue-collar and white-collar workers and restore accountability and independence by lifting all mandates and ending the state of emergency – because COVID is now well is at hand, and Americans need to get back to work in a free and unrestricted way."
Organizers told CNN the protest would be calm and "legitimate" and the group has no plans to imitate Canada's barriers, skirmishes or other disruptions.
"The People's Convoy will comply with agreements with local officials, and will end up in the vicinity of the DC area, but will not move into DC appropriately," the group said.
The People's Convoy said they were distancing themselves from other groups that might have other, less peaceful plans.
The participating convoy "American Freedom Convoy" told CNN they had no intention of being violent, but indicated that it could happen if law enforcement "sends troops to stop the protests."
Law enforcement officers prepare for potential disruptions
Virginia State Police issued a traffic advisory for Virginia throughout the weekend, warning drivers to prepare for "potential commercial and passenger vehicle convoys affecting traffic in and around the National Capital Region."
"The Virginia State Police respects the public's First Amendment rights and has been in contact with the organizers of various groups to ensure their understanding of Virginia's traffic laws," the police said.
The Maryland State Police is also monitoring the situation and plans to deploy additional troops to "address any violations of the law" and help move traffic.
"The agencies will allocate personnel and additional resources based on an analysis of the situation to ensure safety on our roadways and minimize potential traffic disruptions throughout the region," police said in a statement obtained by CNN-affiliated WJLA.
The DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency sent a message Thursday to local businesses and faith-based community partners warning of disruptions caused by the protests.
“As a result, vehicular traffic may be affected, and businesses and other organizations may experience delays in incoming and outgoing deliveries as well as employee access during this time,” “Please use caution if the affected areas If possible, delay traveling through these areas or consider using the Metrorail."
Police may close some avenues to "mitigating the effects of these demonstrations" and will provide updates when they arrive.
COVID-19 rules being lifted as case numbers drop
Vaccine and mask requirements are being eased in cities and states as the number of new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continues to drop.
COVID-19 hospitalizations are down over the past year, according to Johns Hopkins University, with the US now with an average of 55,701 new COVID-19 cases per day, a 26% drop from last week and the lowest number of cases since late July Huh.
There are currently 41,014 people hospitalized with COVID-19, a 23% drop from last week. Current hospitalizations now peaked in mid-January and were lower than in the previous year.
Mask mandates and vaccine passport rules have been falling nationwide in the past days and weeks, due to a drop in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths, as local officials shifted their rules in line with falling COVID-19 numbers. Have given.
Most recently in New York, the state has removed most mask mandates and requirements to show proof of vaccination for indoor activities.
A growing number of states - the majority with Democratic governors - have announced in recent weeks that they will be removing their indoor or school mask mandates, including California, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon and Rhode Island.
According to new CDC guidance, more than 70% of the population is in a location with low or moderate COVID-19 levels. In those areas, masking is not necessary unless a person is at "increased risk" for COVID-19, and if so, the CDC recommends talking to your health care provider about wearing a mask.
Even in some counties with "high" levels of COVID-19, such as states such as California, Illinois, Oregon and Washington, mask mandates are being removed.
Under an update to CDC guidance, people in counties with a low or moderate COVID-19 community level are no longer required to wear masks indoors unless they are immunocompromised or at "high risk" for severe COVID-19 And if so, the CDC recommends talking to their health care provider about wearing a mask.