least a dozen truckers setting off from southern california on a 2,500-mile mission to protest mandates in washington, d.c. >> we the people want our country back we do not want to be under a dictatorship. >> reporter: the so-called people's convoy is a loosely organized group expected to converge on the d.c. region in the next week and a half. inspired by demonstrations that shut down canada's capital city and border crossings, cheered on by some congressional republicans. >> i would absolutel welcome a similar pronouncement of protest in our nation's capital by truckers and anyone who wants their freedoms back. >> reporter: local and state police agencies say they're prepared to deal with protests that could creat major traffic backups on the beltway or attempts to blockade downtown d.c. the pentagon on tuesday authorizing up to 700 unarmed national guard men and 50 vehicles to help with traffic control.