I heard a boastful laugh among the horns and shouts as I strode down Wellington towards the Rideau Centre. It was February 16th. Tensions were heating up in Ottawa as everyone prepared for the police to finally swoop in and bring the convoy occupation to an end after three long weeks. Before its end, I wished to speak with the King himself. Pat King, I mean, the most notable face among the convoy organizers. And so I followed the laugh.

The day was February 14th, 2022. On this day for love, I went downtown to talk to the truckers. I met there one of the organizers of the convoy protest, Sandra Collins Bauder. She and I spoke briefly before meeting up with her husband and co-organizer James Bauder. Here is the record of our conversation: