The Secretary of Defense approved 400 National Guard troops and 50 vehicles to support the District’s Metropolitan Police Department and another 300 troops to assist the Capitol Police.

Inspired by the Canadian “Freedom Convoy” that protested Prime Minster Justin Trudeau’s COVID-19 vaccine mandates and restrictions, several trucker convoys are heading across the U.S. to Washington, D.C., as local officials prepare for their arrival.

One of the largest convoys, “The People’s Convoy,” started in Adelanto, Calif., on Feb. 23, and is planning on arriving in the D.C. area on Saturday.

On Wednesday, the convoy was estimated to have grown to about 1,100 vehicles, according to WePatriot, which provides regular updates on the convoy through contacts with many of the organizers. 

As of Tuesday, The People’s Convoy website reported over $1.5 million donated to the caravan. Non-financial donations are also being accepted.

In Fredericksburg, Va., a restaurant owner is collecting food donations for the convoy.

“We’ve been getting all kinds of items,” Gourmeltz restaurant owner Matt Strickland told WUSA 9, a local CBS affiliate. “Anything from protein bars to beef jerky to all kinds of nonperishable food items. It’s just volunteers from the community that have stepped up to collect these donations and take them to the truckers.”………