New Jersey Freedom Convoy: What To Know This Weekend

NEW JERSEY — This weekend, several convoys will take place in parts of New Jersey as part of the overall Freedom Convoy movement.

Organizers of the event have emphasized it is a nonpartisan demonstration with a message of freedom. State law enforcement are not anticipating any traffic problems, so long as the convoy keeps moving.

On Friday, Col. Pat Callahan with New Jersey State Police said the state emergency operations center will be active to monitor the vehicles.

"From a situational awareness standpoint, and from a reporting out and making sure that we're briefed and aware, trusting that goes safely and trusting everyone adheres to the rules of our highways and byways," Callahan said during Governor Phil Murphy's final COVID-19 press conference Friday.

The convoy event takes place March 5 in North Jersey and March 6 in South Jersey.

An event at the New Egypt Speedway, in the middle of the route, is March 5 at 6:30 p.m.

And on March 6, there is a send-off event at the Salem County Fairgrounds.

The send-off event is described as a family-friendly atmosphere with music, food and activities for children. There will be guest speakers and a performance from New Jersey native Michale Graves, formerly of The Misfits; as well as NJ band Imagi-Nation.

Event organizers note that political flags are discouraged at the main event, except for the U.S. flag.

"This convoy aims to restore our civil liberties and freedoms," event organizers wrote on the NJ Convoy web page. "We demand an end to all unconstitutional mandates. We aim to protect the freedom of choice for future generations. It's not about political parties, but more so about a government that has forgotten its place and has no regard for our Founding Fathers' instructions, The Constitution of the United States of America."

In late February, Callahan said troopers will be most focused on keeping traffic flowing.

"If they come to a stop they will be ordered to keep moving, but we are planning for scenarios where we would have heavy-duty wreckers standing by to tow them at their expense off of our interstates," Callahan said at a press briefing.

He told NJ.com police have not heard of anyone planning to bring major roads to a halt.

The north Jersey convoy begins in Mahwah at 10 a.m. March 5 and ends at New Egypt Speedway.

A southeast Jersey convoy begins at Frank Sinatra Service Area at 11 a.m. March 6 and ends at Salem County Fairgrounds.

The southwest Jersey convoy begins at New Egypt Speedway at 10 a.m. and also ends at Salem County Fairgrounds.