So, You Wanna Have A Trucker Boycott...

self | J. Johnson

[jimjohn]

They tell me it’s gone viral. One trucker (Chicago Ray) throws it down on social media, and it takes off. Frankly, this is much more interesting in the Fani Willis hearing. For those who haven’t heard, starting Monday. February 19, 2024 truckers will allegedly refuse to take loads into New York City in response to a so-called trial against one Donald J. Trump. In  judicial actions that are literally listed as one of the grievances in the Declaration of Independence, some truckers (and supporters) have had enough, and are preparing to do the Real American version of ‘taking it to the streets’.

But if there is to be an action of this type, let’s make it a good one.

Watching the socials, I can first give our side a little credit: at least you’ve got their attention. Not that they are going to do anything about it at first, but being NYC (you’ve got to know the place), they’re already making contingency plans just in case the truckers pull this off. So in order to assist, allow this author to lay out some do’s and don’ts from past experience when it comes to this form of civil disobedience.

I’ll start with three important don’ts:

1.     Stop comparing this to the Canadian Trucker Protests of 2022. This was a matter of truckers taking the protest to the Canadian capital and the international bridges. Despite what you saw in the media, the latter got the most attention. Mentioning that protest (which sparked other protests around the world – and still going) too often gets ‘black-pilled’ by our side with folks always remembering that people got their assets confiscated as a result. As I’ve stated in the past, one of the pet peeves I have with Real Americans is their inability or refusal to follow up on stories. If so, they would know that the illegal practice of freezing accounts in that fashion was promptly stopped after a few days – due in part to the subsequent bank-run that it started. Today, you see after the ruling was declared unconstitutional by the Canadian courts, victims are now seeking even more restitutions over these actions. But you won’t hear this from the black pill department. Only that it will fail because ‘they’ll just take your assets if you try’. To those I say, “How January 6th of you!”; which leads to my next ‘don’t:
   
   
2.     Stop telling folks it won’t work even before it gets started; that is, unless you have a better idea (we’re all ears). Instead, how about doing what we can to support the effort, and/or asking what it would take to make it a success.
   
   
   
3.     Even if this is a success, do not expect any credit to be given in your regular state-sponsored media. It will be reported as a failure (that is until the illegals go into full-blown riot mode, which is probably coming soon, anyway). I fully expect the local media to find truckers who will publicly state they will not go along with it. So don’t be shocked or disheartened when you see this.
   
   
4.     Yes, I know I said 3, but I’ll add this in for good measure: Forget about a rolling road block (groups of trucks deliberately moving at a slow speed). First of all, it's probably illegal. Not to mention this is NYC, and it’s doubtful that anyone would even notice. And unlike in Canada, we’re not talking about going into the big city and snarling traffic, we’re talking about staying OUT of the city, thus helping the environment :-)

 Now, let’s talk about how to make this work. Throughout the remainder of this article, remember this: perception is reality, and they already have a preconceived notion about us. Let’s use both to our advantage. Primarily (because I know us), stick to the game plan: We want the ruling against Trump dismissed. I could accept making this a general protest against election interference, but the key is to not make more of it than what it is. Focus on the primary, and if successful, other wishes may follow. The ruling can be dismissed by the ‘judge’ (cough/gag), or a gubernatorial pardon. If/when that happens, declare victory. 

In thinking in terms of a trucker boycott for NYC, you have to know the area. This means expanding the boycott area for more effect.  Instead of NYC think ‘Tri-State Area’. Many if not most of the distribution centers for the metro area are outside the central city. There are many truck farms that only make runs between these warehouses and the city itself. Any real boycott needs to work where runs are refused to any of these locations from the city north to say Westchester County, southwest Connecticut, and most of New Jersey. Think of the I-95 , I-80 and I-87 corridors. You’ll need to make sure truckers get the word in these areas.

During Truckstop 2000 (the threat of protests over the contested presidential election), we passed out flyers at truck stops. But we quickly learned from the truckers that we were more effective handing out flyers outside of Los Angeles than inside. This is where a lot of the truckers were either taking a break before dealing with the local traffic or fueling up before the long haul to the next destination. If you folks want to assist, make copies of the flyers and hand them out at truck stops OUTSIDE the city. By Wednesday, they will have already heard about it via CB or other means, but it helps to know they have non-driver support on the ground.

If there is to be an adopt-a-trucker program to help out, I only ask to please not use GoFundMe (can’t believe we have to say this with recent history and all).

As stated above in #3, they will never declare it a success until it's too late. But even if successful, you probably won’t see real-world results for at least two weeks at best. If everyone stopped deliveries say Monday, there’s probably a 14 day supply of perishable goods and needed supplies that would have to be drained before anyone would really notice, i.e. you won’t see immediate results, but just stick to it. Remember: being inconvenienced in NYC is normal. It has to become either abnormal, or at least make them ‘think’ is not normal, which leads to my next proposal – especially for those Real Americans that live in the tri-state area. It’s rumor mill time.

For you tri-staters, when you’re out in public, start talking about prepping for empty shelves PUBLICALLY. Make sure folks overhear you. “You’re stocking up on a few things just in case”. “I hear they may be out of (fill-in-the-blank) soon”. And my favorite: “Those crazy right-wingers are stocking up and prepping for a supply-chain interruption that THEY are going to cause!”

Be innovative.

“I’m making it a point of keeping some extra cash on hand just on case. After all, you saw what happened to those Canadian truckers” (see how I did that?). This means that if/when you are shopping, folks notice you have extra things in your cart and start asking questions Feel free to oblige. You know – like they did with toilet paper with all of us back in the spring of 2020. Start putting the word out about possible supply-chain interruptions coming soon. And by the way, if they can do this to Trump, they can do the same to any independent trucker or anyone they don’t like to try to sell their home. Heck, extra credit for those who convince “those who lack critical thinking” of staging public protests against the trucker boycott. Make sure those folks get on the news, and their protests go viral!

The last is key: In the event you don’t get ALL truckers to go along with this, you only need a percentage. More importantly, if you target fuel-delivery truckers especially, that can throw a monkey wrench into the supply chain matrix faster than anything, and without the need for full participation. A fuel shortage would cause diesel fuel to skyrocket, which could in turn force other truckers off the road until a resolution can be reached. We shoot for 100% compliance, but we need as many as we can to cause a disturbance - or at least the perception of one.

Oh, and a word to the opposition who’d like to make more out of this that what it is (as if we’re up to something illegal or evil):

Black Lives Matter, Just Stop Oil, Free Palestine, Climate Change, Occupy Whatever,  etc. These are just some of the annoying protests you folks put up with (even cause) every day. Most are illegal anyway. You can’t complain about this one, as it also helps resolve your traffic and pollution issues. Deal with it.

This trucker boycott can also be effective because of timing. At the time of this writing, New Yorkers are at the breaking point to the rampant crime, assaults to both law enforcement, and the city’s infrastructure as a whole. The illegal invaders have put the entire city on edge. And don’t start with the “That’s what they voted for” line. In many cases, republicans aren’t even on the ballot there. The few who haven’t escaped NYC are trapped on Staten Island. Fact is, nobody voted for a judiciary that can drop the hammer on any business - just because they don’t like them. This has left a bad taste in everyone’s mouth.

So the goal is simple: to stop deliveries that supply the NYC area to force a resolution in our favor. We know with this late notice that some truckers already have commitments to deliver there and have no choice. Some others may not have the option to just stop delivering to NYC due to financial concerns. But the time to act - the time to make the sacrifice is now. The time has come for Real Americans to stand up and give notice that we are a force to be reckoned with.

Just my $0.02

[Vermont Lt]

Like any “system” that includes moving items through a process, if you remove just a few touch points it will screw up the time it takes to complete.

For example, if you remove a single cashier from the grocery store on the day before Thanksgiving...the lines will get a lot longer.

So, with ALL of the trucks going into NYC on any given day if just a small percent of them stop rolling...it will screw up the system dramatically.

Of course, the same action would clear up the highways around the city. THAT is what most people would see right away.

[Wilderness Conservative]

There wont be enough boycotting drivers to make a difference. Any load refused will be given to a foreigner or woke scab.

[joe fonebone]

Something pointed out in the article....
If they can do this to a former President, they can do it to you too.

[metmom]

So your option is not even try.

Got any other suggestions on how to fix things in this country?

Or are you just going to keep raining on everyone’s parade?

[joe fonebone]

I’ve been boycotting things from NY for a long time now.
It’s been so long that I forgot why, but I still make a conscious effort to check place of origin on things I buy

[AnotherUnixGeek]

One fact he left out is that the instigator of the boycott points out that getting into or out of NYC is a pain in the behind, on a good day, in a truck.

The author points out that many of the truck depots servicing NYC aren't actually in NYC, but just outside - does that have any impact on how willing truckers will be to boycott?

I'll be interested to see how this goes - so many of the people gloating about Trump's case on MSNBC and NPR have no idea how economies or the real estate market work, and view professions like trucking with absolute contempt. An effective trucker boycott of NYC would be a real wake-up call for the lotus eaters.

[joe fonebone]

Oh...
You’re one of those...
Just 1 truck has an effect, though probably not really felt.
Dozens have the same effect.
Hundreds have a small effect.
Thousands, now were rolling...
But one person like you can stop this thing dead.
Go away

[Tench_Coxe]

"2. Stop telling folks it won’t work even before it gets started; that is, unless you have a better idea (we’re all ears). Instead, how about doing what we can to support the effort, and/or asking what it would take to make it a success."

I might change to whom #2 is directed. IMHO, the naysyaers come in two categories:
1. The true Eeyores who think nothing works, there is no hope, we're all doomed, and all around masochists who I suspect aren't someone to depend on. For anything.
2. The operatives/Leftists, who try to discourage peoole from taking action. These are the true scumbags of humanity. Unlike the first category, they are the parasites who like a leech or mosquito, try to numb their prospective host to avoid getting swatted/squashed. Their biggest fear is that taking action COULD work.

Advice to should be to IGNORE the naysayers (because their intent is to hinder any effort) while following the second part of #2 of your post.

[_longranger81]

I don’t usually read pieces this long all the way through, but I read this.
And I liked it.
And I’ll pass it on if that’s ok.

[bluescape]

“Somebody talks a lot, and no one wants to read his 2000 word punishment essay. No matter what side he is on.”

Just because an essay has a lot of substance doesn’t mean it’s substantive. He should try going for wit and it’s brevity.

[HombreSecreto]

I think it can. However, you identified a good point!

Hypothetically, let’s model this similarly to the Berlin blockade. The US (primarily) was able to supply Berlin (pop est 2.25 million) via air transport. I can’t see that happening in NYC. Now the product mix is different today vs. Berlin as IIRC, we even had to transport coal into Berlin for energy generation. In the case of NYC, roads are open and you won’t have hostile aircraft harassing any inbound cargo planes.

But in NYC, there is a very large population (pop est 8.5 million) increasing due to the illegals, that generates a growing demand for goods. That requires a growing demand for transportation to deliver those goods. I’m making the assumption that truck transportation into the city is reasonably close to full loads. Even if the amount of transportation due to the boycott just flatlines, net supply should decrease.

Regarding your correct comment regarding regional traffic, if...someone wanted to implement the boycott, they would focus more on the distribution centers in the region that then supply NYC. Restrict deliveries to those distribution centers, and even if all the regional drivers are still working, they will run out of goods to deliver.

My 1 1/2 cents,

[castlebrew]

“You may have several hundred truckers participate, and still nobody will notice.”

If those “several hundred truckers” are involved with

Food
Fuel
Water treatment chemicals

then people will notice. It will take a few days, but they’ll notice.

[FamiliarFace]

I think we can all pitch in by boycotting NYC in our own lives. Don’t travel there.

[your other brother]

NY City probably has closer to a 3 day supply of fresh food than two weeks. Computers have made just in time delivery a real thing and real estate prices have made storage a real issue for smaller businesses. I do not know if this thing will catch on, but it would not take long for the impact to be felt if even 15-20% of truckers got involved. A better strategy than a full boycott would be to just Botox things up with no Monday Friday deliveries. You might get more truckers involved if they did not have to cut their own noses off.

[Openurmind]

“Everyone should boycott NYC and New York State in any way possible. Refuse that contemptable state any money to the best of your ability. Anyone can do that.”

Absolutely... Don’t do business with any company in NYC. The businesses will immediately put pressure on lawmakers to correct this injustice.

[Openurmind]

“We shouldn’t put it all on the truckers.
We should boycott new york in our own personal business.

I buy a lot online, but I try to never buy anything from a new york (or california) seller.”

Absolutely.

[jimjohn]

2 weeks vs 3 days: My suspicion is that they would use other means to pull in resources from outside the area after the ‘just in time stuff’ ran out. Emergency rail was my first thought. I should have emphasized a key line out of the article:

“...perception is reality, and they already have a preconceived notion about us. Let’s use both to our advantage...”

Think about that.

;-)

[woodbutcher1963]

My company is involved daily in the trucking of bulk materials around the country. NYC/NJ is already one of the most expensive places to deliver into on the east coast.
This is because all the major highways going in there are typically toll roads.

In addition, the traffic is terrible. Long haul truck drivers are paid by the mile. Not by the hour. Therefore, If it takes an extra 4 half day to deliver into the NYC/Newark area they charge for this.

Even picking up at the ports in NJ is more expensive. We purchase materials FOB the port. There is very little products sent into Newark ports that does not stay in the NYC metro area. This is because of the logistical nightmare of going into and out of these ports. Meaning you will pay an extra $1/mile shipping into or out of these ports.

Hence, IF you want to bring a product into the New England market the manufacturer will bring it into New Haven, CT.
IF you want to bring a product into the mid Atlantic market you will ship it into Baltimore, Wilmington(DE), or Philadelphia.

So, this effort will just remove more truckers from going into to NYC. However, IF the current rate going in there is $3.00/mile, then the rate will go up to $3.50 or $4.00 per mile. It just means everything going into NYC will cost more. However, it will not be double.

[P.O.E.]

That’s what I’ve heard by aquaintances of mine who drive truck. Trucking companies hiring unqualified drivers - from other countries.

[freedomjusticeruleoflaw]

Go to any truckstop, right now, on any major interstate system in this country. Watch the truckers pile out of their trucks while they’re on the fuel pumps. 85% are for nationals, and most don’t even speak English. Truck drivers in this country are not on board with any conservative anti-immigrant movement. Half of all truck drivers do not even speak basic English. It’s much worse near major cities. When I get pushback on these points, it’s always from some farmer in Iowa who goes to a little truckstop off of a two-lane highway near his town we’re all his buddies still drive Smokey and the bandit no longer exists people.