Protesters ‘Sick’ Of Vaccine, Mask Mandates Unite Outside SoFi Stadium On Super Bowl Sunday

A small group of protesters against vaccine and mask mandates gathered outside the SoFi Stadium Sunday as tens of thousands of fans flocked the area to watch Super Bowl LVI. Local law enforcement monitored the area with a heavy presence following fears of possible protests similar to Canada’s “Freedom Convoy.”

Protesters were spotted outside the stadium Sunday as groups standing for different causes tried to get their message across, KTLA 5 News reported. Others called for saving the planet, while some called for a stop to mask mandates, and another group voiced their opposition to vaccine mandates in the country. Officers from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department monitored the protests, the outlet reported.

Speaking with Reuters, a female protester from a group calling out vaccine mandates said she joined the demonstration “because there is no emergency,” arguing that 70,000 plus people will be here at the Super Bowl today.” The protester spoke with reporters without a mask on.

“They’re sick of it in Canada. We’re sick of it here, and nobody wants to say it so we’re here to help people have courage to say no,” another protester said.

A male protester said many people have lost jobs “because they’re trying to force mandates, right – forced vaccination on us, but it’s my body, my choice.” Other demonstrators could be seen holding up signs. One poster featured a young boy wearing a mask with the statement, “Freedom does not look like this.” Another read, “Mask Choice. Vax Choice.”

The small demonstrations came two days after the U.S. Department of Homeland Security warned law enforcement partners about the threat of a possible protest at the Super Bowl headed by American truck drivers. At that time, the agency said a convoy of truckers could start their march demonstration during the Super Bowl and potentially end up in Washington, DC., just in time for President Joe Biden’s first State of the Union Address, CBS News reported. The agency did say that plans for a U.S. trucker convoy appeared to be only “aspirational.”

Meanwhile, the Ambassador Bridge finally reopened to the public late Sunday, the Toronto Star reported. It marked the end of a week-long standstill in Canada-U.S. commerce due to Freedom Convoy trucks blocking the base of the Windsor-side entrance.