Saskatoon’s Yellow vest protesters went mobile on Saturday.
After weeks of building support during weekend protests, organizers gathered more than 40 vehicles — led by tractor trailers, tandem axle trucks and even a combine — to convoy through Idylwyld Drive and Circle Drive.
Saskatoon's Yellow Vest protest is now mobile. #yxe #sask #YellowVest pic.twitter.com/KxcYkVmVXs
— Keenan Sorokan (@KeenanSorokan) January 5, 2019
Organizer Mark Friesen said the goal of the convoy is simply recognition.
“Raise awareness,” he said before the convoy began.
“We can protest until we’re blue in the face to (Justin) Trudeau, he’s not going to care anyways. I’m not sure where the end game is, but it’s raising awareness. It’s showing ourselves loudly and proudly what’s been happening.”
The crowd of protesters dressed in yellow vests gathered in the parking lot of Sasktel Centre for a short rally before taking the convoy south on Idylwyld Drive and into Saskatoon’s downtown.
Many of the protesters were there to show their frustration at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the lack of pipeline progress and United Nations policy.
“We’re tired of our Prime Minister disrespecting us and just shoving policy down our throat that has nothing to do with Canadians,” Friesen said.
The Yellow Vest movement has drawn those who weren’t always politically engaged.
Tom Taylor showed up early on Saturday for an event he never thought he’d attend in his life.
“To be honest, it’s my first protest, and I grew up through the ’60s” he said sheepishly. “It’s just years and years of frustration.”
“I’m retired, so here I am. I want to support the movement.”
With other convoys like the Rally 4 Resources convoy planning to depart to Ottawa in February, Friesen says it’s time for people to band together.
“Let’s unify this whole movement together, and make it loud and proud.”