'Unmask the children': Anti-vaccine convoy rolls past Strathroy high school

A few hundred vehicles taking part in a "freedom convoy" rolled past the two high schools in Strathroy, Ont., on Friday, with a handful of students coming out to support the effort. 

Led by a tractor, the slow-moving procession of trailers rolled past Holy Cross Catholic Secondary and Strathroy District Collegiate Institute, which are side-by-side on Second Street. 

The Thames Valley District School Board said it was aware of students planning walkouts at other schools Friday. Director Mark Fisher said in a statement that the board is supportive of "peaceful student-led initiatives that demonstrate engagement and allow students to use their voice in support of change."

Drivers passed the Strathroy schools honking horns, sporting Canada flags and signs calling for freedom. They drove past the school, turned around in a nearby church parking lot, then parked at the roadside opposite the school for a few hours. 

Joseph Minten drove the lead tractor, and told CBC News the convoy is meant to encourage governments to "unmask the children."

A handful of students came out in the sleet and snow to show their support for the convoy, including Hayden Vowels. 

"I support them," he said. "I don't want to be forced to get the vaccine. I did online school all last year it was terrible, I barely passed all my courses and this year I'm excelling because it's in-person." 

Vowels said he felt vaccine mandates and rules requiring masks are "ridiculous."  

"I don't think they're being put in place for our safety," he said. 

Police were on hand to ensure students and school buses were able to get in and out of the school property. 

There were no reported incidents. 

The convoy in Strathroy happened on a day when Ontario Premier Doug Ford declared a state of emergency over occupation-style, anti-vaccine mandate protests that continue to clog downtown Ottawa and have halted traffic of the Ambassador Bridge linking Windsor and Detroit. 

Ford and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Friday the demonstrations are illegal and will no longer be tolerated. Trudeau said people risk arrest, losing their license and fines, if they choose not to go home.