Business

Crowd on French Island cheers on convoy of trucks passing through La Crosse

Published

2 years ago

March 4, 2022

A crowd of onlookers, waving American flags and cheering traffic on I-90, gathered Friday afternoon on French Island to watch for a convoy of semis passing through the region.

About 50 people, young and old, stood on a pedestrian bridge over the interstate near Exit 2 to show their support for the Freedom Convoy traveling to Washington, D.C. Drivers also stopped near other bridges on the island to watch for the trucks.

A few dozen trucks passed beneath the bridge shortly before 5 p.m., headed to an expected rendezvous with other trucks traveling on I-94 to the Tomah area, and the Love’s truck stop at Oakdale.

Several signs, including Trump campaign banners and homemade cardboard signs, were hung on the fence along with a few flags. Many drivers honked to acknowledge the crowd, while passing under the bridge in both directions.

The drivers involved in the convoy are protesting mandates and government control.

To avoid the congestion, the Tomah school district chose to dismiss students and staff earlier than usual on Friday.

Brad Williams

A native of Prairie du Chien, Brad graduated from UW - La Crosse and has worked in radio news for more than 30 years, mostly in the La Crosse area. He regularly covers local courts and city and county government. Brad produces the features "Yesterday in La Crosse" and "What's Buried on Brad's Desk." He also writes the website "Triviazoids," which finds odd connections between events that happen on a certain date, and he writes and performs with the local comedy group Heart of La Crosse. Brad been featured on several national TV programs because of his memory skills.