A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request has brought to light that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), under the Biden-Harris administration, took steps to censor social media content related to the Canadian Freedom Convoy. Internal emails from February 2022 show that the DHS’s Disinformation Governance Board was not only monitoring the convoy protests but also collaborating with tech giants to suppress online discussions they deemed as “misinformation.”
The Freedom Convoy, which resulted in significant disruptions at key border points like the Ambassador Bridge between Detroit, Michigan, and Windsor, Ontario, began as a protest against vaccine mandates for truckers but evolved into a broader challenge to COVID-19 restrictions. The movement gained considerable support, with millions raised through donations, leading Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to enact the Emergencies Act, which resulted in the freezing of bank accounts linked to convoy supporters.
The convoy’s impact was felt across Canada, with several provinces subsequently relaxing restrictions, including vaccine passports. Despite this, prominent convoy leaders faced severe legal consequences, particularly those involved in protests at the Alberta border town of Coutts. Although they were accused of plotting to kill police officers, the charges were ultimately dismissed in court.
The FOIA revelations suggest a troubling level of involvement by the U.S. government in efforts to silence a protest movement in a neighboring country, raising concerns about free speech and government overreach.
