Truck drivers calling themselves “Truckers Ride for the Constitution” planned a three-day protest beginning October 11, 2013, by driving around Washington, D.C.’s Capital Beltway to draw attention to their economic grievances and opposition to federal policies. The group criticized low wages, high diesel prices, fees and regulations, as well as government surveillance, national debt and what it described as officials’ disregard for the Constitution.

Organizers said trucks would travel three lanes deep around the Beltway’s inner loop, leaving the left lane open for emergency vehicles. Logistics coordinator Earl Conlon said the convoy would travel at the 55-mile-per-hour speed limit and suggested that vehicles displaying a supporter designation could pass. He also threatened a roadblock if police interfered. The effect on traffic remained uncertain because it depended on participation and how drivers conducted the protest. A similar 2007 protest had caused less disruption than feared.

The group’s trucker-specific complaints included federal fuel-efficiency standards, state and local anti-idling laws, insurance-related technology requirements and concerns about privacy protections in truck cabs. Its broader political rhetoric echoed the early Tea Party movement, calling for lawmakers to act constitutionally and threatening economic disruption to gain their attention. A protest flyer described President Barack Obama, Secretary of State John Kerry, and Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham as “domestic enemies.”

Organizers offered differing accounts of their political demands. Promoter Zeeda Andrews had said participants would seek Obama’s impeachment, while Conlon said they instead wanted the arrest of officials they accused of violating their oaths. Conlon initially proposed using a citizen-convened grand jury to pursue arrests and accused Obama and lawmakers who supported arming Syrian rebels of wrongdoing. An update later stated that truckers were no longer planning to arrest members of Congress.

Andrews said 3,000 truckers had responded to the event, while Conlon said he had lost count of prospective participants. A Facebook page promoting the ride had nearly 50,000 likes.