As the trade dispute between Canada and the United States continues, residents on both sides of the border will line up under the Blue Water Bridge Saturday in a sign of friendship.
It's called a 'Friendship Flag Wave', where people will be waving both the Canadian and American flags at each other.
“The Friendship Flag Wave is an opportunity to show our neighbours in Sarnia our appreciation and deepest respect with a show of unity honouring the flags of both Canada and the United States of America,” said Port Huron Mayor Anita R. Ashford. “We invite the entire community to join us in solidarity as we honour our flags and extend a friendly wave.”
Mayor Ashford said the idea was presented to her by Sarnia City/County Councillor Bill Dennis.
"He asked me if I would like to join him in a show of togetherness between Sarnia and the City of Port Huron, just to do a simple flag wave," she said. "I didn't want it to be political or anything, and I said as long as it's just a flag wave because we do have a partnership and a friendship with the City of Sarnia. It didn't just start today, it's always been there."
Ashford said the emblems represent a symbol of hope.
"People have gone on and fought for both our flags in Canada and the United States," said Ashford. "And we are alive today and we have so much that we can do together rather than separate. So I'm just hoping and praying for that love and that solidarity that we can show we are stronger as a people."
The friendly wave takes place ahead of Sarnia City Council's meeting on Monday, March 31. Mayor Mike Bradley is expected to present a motion to council to remove all American flags from municipal buildings in response to the ongoing trade war.
Mayor Ashford stressed multiple times, from her perspective, it's not a political event.
"It's important to have events like this," she said." It's always the time to do the right thing, and it's the right time right now. A lot is happening in our world and things change, but anytime you can bring people together for love and respect and something as symbolic as our flag, that's what brings us alive and gives us hope."
The 'Friendship Flag Wave is scheduled to begin at noon under the Blue Water Bridge in Point Edward and across the St. Clair River in Port Huron.
Flags from both countries will be available.