A group of truck drivers planned a three-day protest beginning October 11, 2013, aimed at drawing attention to industry grievances and dissatisfaction with federal political leaders. Organizers of the “Truckers Ride for the Constitution” proposed circling the Capital Beltway around Washington, D.C., with tractor-trailers, potentially disrupting traffic.

The drivers cited low wages, high diesel prices and fees, Environmental Protection Agency fuel-efficiency standards, anti-idling laws, and other regulatory and technology requirements. They also raised concerns about searches of truck cabs, government surveillance, national debt and what they viewed as violations of the Constitution. Their rhetoric echoed early Tea Party appeals, portraying the protest as an effort to make elected officials respond to the public.

Earl Conlon, a Georgia trucker handling logistics, initially said drivers would travel three lanes deep while leaving the left lane open for emergency vehicles. He suggested that motorists displaying a supporter acronym would be allowed past and warned that trucks could stop if police interfered. The extent of any disruption remained uncertain; a similar trucker protest in 2007 had caused less traffic trouble than feared.

Organizers also made differing statements about their political demands. A promoter said participants wanted President Barack Obama impeached, while Conlon said they instead sought the arrest of officials they accused of violating their oaths. He alleged that support for arming Syrian rebels constituted wrongdoing and named several lawmakers. A protest flyer separately called Obama, Secretary of State John Kerry, and Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham “domestic enemies.” An update to the report said the truckers were no longer planning to arrest members of Congress.

Organizers reported substantial interest in the event, although the number of drivers who would participate was uncertain.