Canadians, Americans wave flags in cross-border friendship rally

Waving both Canadian and American flags, residents near Sarnia, Ont., turned out for what was billed as a friendship rally between the two countries under the Blue Water Bridge linking Ontario and Michigan Saturday afternoon.

However, voicing their political opinions was top of the list for many attendees who feel – despite outcry from industry and political leaders – that tariffs being imposed on Canadian goods by U.S. President Donald Trump are not a major threat here.  

Johnny Hopman of Sarnia doesn't think Canadians should worry about the tariffs.  "That's been going on for years.  It's going to be a juggle for a while, but it can be worked out."  Hopman said he's more concerned about who will be the next prime minister. "They just appointed Carney. That's no system."

Alysia Topol, also of Sarnia, said she is not concerned "at all" about tariffs, Topol, who has family and work connections in the U.S. said "I would be more concerned about carbon taxes and other things that have been imposed here. The cost of living and everything has been going down hill before the tariffs became a concern."

Flags from each country were handed out by Sarnia Coun. Bill Dennis and supporters at the event, which he sponsored along with the mayor of Port Huron, Mich.

The rally exceeded expectations, he said, with a crowd of "happy people who wanted to show our American friends that we value their friendship and we value our relationship and politicians shouldn't divide us."

Asked about flags with obscenities, Dennis said "an event like this is going to attract people like that. This is Canada and people are free to speak their minds." Dennis said the event was meant to be non-partisan.  

People could also be seen on the American side waving flags and honking horns in support.  

Dennis said on social media the event was held to counter a motion by Sarnia's mayor Mike Bradley to remove American flags from public buildings in Sarnia. 

Bradley, who called for the ban earlier in the week, reversed course Friday prior to the rally, and said he was "temporarily" cancelling the plan, after hearing that Prime Minister Mark Carney said Trump had agreed to negotiate a comprehensive new economic and security relationship with Canada following the federal election, during a phone call between the two leaders.

 In an interview, Bradley expressed disappointment with the way the rally was organized, saying his American counterpart, Mayor Anita Ashford of Port Huron Mich., should have spoken with him about the plan.

"It's fine for her to say it's all about friendship, but where does she stand on the issues," he asked. 

Americans must accept their part in Trump's decisions, Bradley said.  "You can't blame it all on one person. Seventy-seven million voted for him. Americans are not our friends, they are our neighbours."

Ashford did not reply to email and phone requests for an interview by publication time.

Bradley said he had resisted calls until recently from local residents who had been emailing and asking him to remove the Stars and Stripes since early in February and had a lot of public support for the move.  

Uma Pancholy and her friend Kamal Wanner carried small posters of a Canadian stamp featuring the Peace Bridge in the Niagara area.

Pancholy said they were there "because we love Canada" and want to remain connected to friends and family across the St. Clair River.  "We're certainly not here because we believe Canada should be the 51st state. We believe in the independence of Canada."

Linda Cossette of Sarnia says she's not into politics but she "loves the people of the U.S." and is unhappy with the current state of affairs.  

The life-long Sarnia resident said she just wants to show Canadians care about their neighbours.  While her family has often crossed the border to visit family "we're not doing that much now. We don't know what kind of reaction we are going to get" at the border, Cossette said.