Locals gather along I-90 to support Freedom Convoy

“I’m here in support of the truckers, as well as for America,” said Frank Magee of DeBorgia. “After hearing [President] Biden’s [State of the Union] speech last night, we have to have solidarity and bring everybody together.”

Magee and over 50 people were on the Little Joe overpass on I-90 on March 2 at 10:30 a.m., as every size of an American flag was flown or draped over the railing so the eastbound American Truckers Freedom Convoy would see the support they have going through Mineral County.

Canadian and "Don’t Tread on Me" flags were also displayed with red, white and blue clothing and rain gear worn as the 70% chance of rain turned to a drizzle and 37 degrees.

A woman from California who was visiting her daughter in St. Regis shouted, “Let’s Go Brandon” as people flocked in tighter near the Extreme Country Towing 70-ton rotator with a boom 31 feet in the air flying an American flag.

“We’re here for our freedoms and our rights. If we lose them, we don’t have a reason to live,” said Kevin Extreme, owner of the company.

The St. Regis event was organized by Dawndi McAdams who lives in DeBorgia. Through Facebook and flyers made and posted by Bruce and Susan Charles who are neighbors of McAdams, the word zapped through the area and even from Sanders County.

“This is the only place to be today. Right here on this overpass,” said Guy Livingston of Trout Creek. “We’ve been pushed around long enough, and this [vaccine] mandate is the final straw. To think that it was optional and then it was important to get it and now people are getting fired because they refuse this shot is ludicrous," he said sternly. “And our military personal are getting tossed out when we don’t have enough as it is. Like the nurses who don’t want it are getting fired. Our entire country is abackward today.”

There were small groups waving American flags in Superior, at the Lozeau/Quartz Exit 55 and Keren Wolhart, owner of the Montana Valley Bookstore in Alberton reported about 75 people were showing their support on the overpass at Exit 75.

Roni Haskins of Tarkio was with a group at the Huson overpass, and the Frenchtown Rural Fire Department was the big show at their overpass with flags of different sizes.

The convoy, specifically referred to as the "Northwest Route" was on its way to meet up with other convoys from all parts of the United States in Washington D.C. The Northwest Route was scheduled to make a stop in Belgrade and then spend the night in Billings.