Latest news with #ElbowsUpforCanada
Vancouver Sun
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Vancouver Sun
Hundreds of Americans turn out for 'Elbows Up for Canada' rally
In an effort to show Canadians that many Americans value the relationship between the two countries, hundreds of North Country residents came out to the 'Elbows Up for Canada' rally in Ogdensburg, N.Y. Saturday afternoon. A number of signs, red T-shirts and Canadian flags could be seen in front of Ogdensburg City Hall as many upstate New York residents showed their support for their Canadian friends across the river. 'It's been heartening to see the enthusiasm, and the crowd has been wonderful,' said Ginger Storey-Welch, one of the organizers of the rally. 'We wanted to show Canadians that we care about them and value them.' Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Overall, approximately 200 Americans showed up to the rally, many with signs and T-shirts that were Canadian-themed. One of those people was Pat Kingsley, who wanted to support the cause and have her voice heard. 'What Candians have been hearing from our administration is not what's in our hearts,' she said. 'Canadians have always treated us fabulously.' The rally was meant as a display of friendship amid the ongoing trade war between the United States and Canada, and U.S. President Donald Trump's repeated remarks suggesting Canada should become the 51st state. The event began at 1 p.m. at Ogdensburg City Hall, where organizers got the rally going on a sunny Saturday afternoon. Along with everyday Americans, there were a few local officials who attended the rally and shared some words. The first speaker was Josh Pearlman, who spoke on behalf of senior New York Senator Chuck Schumer. 'For generations, the United States and Canada have been close friends and staunch allies, boasting a relationship between neighbouring countries that is simply unrivaled anywhere else on the planet,' read Senator Schumer's letter. 'Recent events have strained that friendship, and unsurprisingly, it's already hurting North Country communities.' After Pearlman, Blake Gendebien shared some words over the loudspeaker; he is the congressional candidate for New York's 21st District, an area that covers most of the North Country. Gendebien also emphasized the importance of the relationship between the U.S. and Canada, 'For over 200 years, our relationship has been deeply shaped by geography, trade, security and cross-cultural exchange,' said Gendebien in his speech. 'These are not Democrat or Republican issues, they're local issues that affect everyone.' After the speeches at City Hall, rally-goers marched to Morrisette Park to make the visual connection with the Canadians across the river. On that march, Canadian flags were waved, signs were held high and The Tragically Hip played over the portable speakers. When the attendees made it to the park, they waved at the people of Prescott and sang O Canada. While the 'Elbows Up for Canada' rally wasn't a sanctioned city event, Ogdensburg Mayor Michael Tooley made an appearance at Morrisette Park. 'Despite the frictions at the federal level, we want Canadians to feel welcome coming over to our community,' said Tooley. 'This event has a good message in that we want to make the connection between our two border regions as strong as it was before.' Across the river in Prescott, dozens of people gathered at the waterfront to take in the show of support from the North Country residents. A 'Friendship Flotilla' was also a planned part of the rally, but only a few boats participated, so what was conceived as a flotilla mostly happened on land. This event is part of a wider 'Elbows Up for Canada' movement that saw rallies take place across the US, and even in London, England. ( Catch up on what is happening throughout Eastern Ontario with our Midday Roundup. Click here to sign up for the free newsletter, which will be delivered to your inbox every weekday. )
Calgary Herald
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Calgary Herald
Americans living near the Canada-U.S. border to hold 'Elbows Up for Canada' rally
Article content In an act of solidarity toward their northern neighbours, some Upstate New York residents are organizing an 'Elbows Up for Canada' rally. Article content Residents who live near the Canada-U.S. border have organized this movement in an attempt to strengthen ties with Canadians. The event will take place on July 5. Article content Article content Dubbed the 'Friendship Flotilla,' it will see the Americans taking part boating along the St. Lawrence River with Canadian and American flags, as well as signs showing their support for Canada. Article content Article content 'Every day we look across the St. Lawrence River and we see friends, family members, and business partners,' said Eileen Jarrett, one of the organizers of the rally. 'We hope this rally will remind everyone of our friendship.' Article content Article content Rally-goers will then head to Morrisette Park – those with boats will take the Friendship Flotilla across the St. Lawrence River from the Ogdensburg Marina to Fort Wellington in Prescott, and those without boats will stay at the park and wave across. Article content The boaters will then split and head to both Brockville and Morrisburg to bring the flotilla to the other major Canadian border towns in the area. Article content Organizers of the event are encouraging residents of Prescott to gather on the Heritage River Trail walking path at 2 p.m. to see the flotilla and greet the rally-goers. Article content Article content This movement aims to show Canadians that not all Americans agree with President Donald Trump's threats against Canada's sovereignty, and many want to extend an olive branch to their neighbours across the river. Article content 'Our countries share family ties, with many dual citizens and cross-border families, along with shared values of democracy, diversity, and human rights,' said Jarrett. 'Organizers emphasize that the movement is positive, focused on celebrating what unites rather than protesting what divides. The rallies aim to demonstrate the grassroots support for continued U.S.-Canada co-operation across economic, environmental, and security issues.' Article content Jarrett hopes that a number of North Country residents will come and join the movement, although she is unsure of the number of people who will take part in the rally.
Vancouver Sun
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Vancouver Sun
Americans living near the Canada-U.S. border to hold 'Elbows Up for Canada' rally
In an act of solidarity toward their northern neighbours, some Upstate New York residents are organizing an 'Elbows Up for Canada' rally. Residents who live near the Canada-U.S. border have organized this movement in an attempt to strengthen ties with Canadians. The event will take place on July 5. Dubbed the 'Friendship Flotilla,' it will see the Americans taking part boating along the St. Lawrence River with Canadian and American flags, as well as signs showing their support for Canada. 'Every day we look across the St. Lawrence River and we see friends, family members, and business partners,' said Eileen Jarrett, one of the organizers of the rally. 'We hope this rally will remind everyone of our friendship.' Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Starting at 1 p.m. at Ogdensburg city hall, Blake Gendebien, a Democrat running for Congress, will speak about the important relationship Canada has to the border towns in the U.S. Rally-goers will then head to Morrisette Park – those with boats will take the Friendship Flotilla across the St. Lawrence River from the Ogdensburg Marina to Fort Wellington in Prescott, and those without boats will stay at the park and wave across. The boaters will then split and head to both Brockville and Morrisburg to bring the flotilla to the other major Canadian border towns in the area. Organizers of the event are encouraging residents of Prescott to gather on the Heritage River Trail walking path at 2 p.m. to see the flotilla and greet the rally-goers. This movement aims to show Canadians that not all Americans agree with President Donald Trump's threats against Canada's sovereignty, and many want to extend an olive branch to their neighbours across the river. 'Our countries share family ties, with many dual citizens and cross-border families, along with shared values of democracy, diversity, and human rights,' said Jarrett. 'Organizers emphasize that the movement is positive, focused on celebrating what unites rather than protesting what divides. The rallies aim to demonstrate the grassroots support for continued U.S.-Canada co-operation across economic, environmental, and security issues.' Jarrett hopes that a number of North Country residents will come and join the movement, although she is unsure of the number of people who will take part in the rally. Even though this event begins at City Hall, Ogdensburg Mayor Michael Tooley says the city itself is not directly involved. 'This is not a city-sponsored event and there's no official role for the city to participate in this,' said Tooley. 'But I've spoken with the mayors of Brockville and Prescott and we all agreed to support the concept of supporting friendships between our citizens.' Prescott Mayor Gauri Shankar indicated that he wouldn't be engaging in the rally, but Brockville Mayor Matt Wren made public mention of it at city's council meeting on Tuesday, June 24. Mayor Wren solidified Mayor Tooley's statement by saying he is in support of the rally, and appreciates the support being shown by North Country residents. 'This is extremely kind of these folks to reach out,' said Mayor Wren. 'It confirms what many of us believe, which is that the American people, especially our neighbours on the other side of the river, certainly value the relationship and feel badly for the tensions between our two administrations.' The rally in Ogdensburg isn't the only Elbows Up for Canada event happening on July 5. There will be rallies being held across the country, and even overseas as part of a nationwide and international movement. 'July 5 events will run the length of the longest border in the world, with groups from Alaska to Washington state, to Montana to Detroit, to Niagara Falls to Vermont, and even London, England,' reads a statement from Elbows Up for Canada. As it turns out, the Elbows Up for Canada group isn't the only organization in the U.S. that is showing support for Canadians. Boldt Castle, for the first time ever, will be lit up in red on Canada Day by the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority. This act is part of a larger movement happening in New York State to show appreciation to Canada and attempt to strengthen the bond between the communities on either side of the border. 'This display aligns with a statewide effort to recognize Canada Day, commemorating the country's founding in 1867 when three colonies united to form Canada,' said Bill Moulton, deputy executive director of the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority. 'We're pleased to add the Canada Day illumination in recognition of our Canadian partners and visitors.' ( Catch up on what is happening throughout Eastern Ontario with our Midday Roundup. Click here to sign up for the free newsletter, which will be delivered to your inbox every weekday. )
