A crowd of supporters fill the New Design Road bridge over I-270 in Frederick County as the “People’s Convoy” passed through the county as it made its way from Hagerstown, Md., to Washington, D.C., Sunday. Bill Green/The Frederick News-Post via AP

Bill Green

A group of people departed the Clearview Mall early Saturday headed for Hagerstown, Md., to advocate for “medical freedom.”

Zach Scherer, a resident of Donegal Township, helped organize the “Butler PA Patriots Convoy,” and said he was inspired by other groups across the country that were heading for the nation’s capitol to protest COVID-19 mitigation measures enforced throughout the pandemic.

Scherer said the demonstrators involved in the movement are against mandates related to COVID-19, including mask and vaccine requirements. About five other vehicles joined from the Butler departing site Saturday.

Protesters staged at the Hagerstown Speedway during the weekend before heading down a single lane of Interstate 81.

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