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Rotarians from Windsor and Detroit unveiled matching peace poles on Saturday, then met on the Gordie Howe International Bridge to celebrate cross-border friendship amid Canada-U.S. trade tensions.
Rotarians in Windsor-Essex and Detroit gathered on Saturday to unveil matching peace poles overlooking the Gordie Howe International Bridge, as reported by CTV News Windsor.
In Windsor, a ceremony of speeches, songs, and solidarity took place at Malden Park to unveil the new peace pole and sitting area. At the same time, American members unveiled another post in Detroit's Riverside Park. Linda Morrow, past District Governor of Rotary District 6400, said work had been underway for over a year to bring the matching poles to both countries.
Peace Poles Symbolize Rotary Friendship
She described the poles as a signpost that Rotary has linked in to, to look at how we navigate peace and how we promote peace and think about that. On the Canadian side, Morrow said they chose an often-used path overlooking the new bridge. The pole reads May Peace Prevail on Earth, written in a different language on each side.
Morrow said she hopes people will sit down, think a little, and relax, because maybe some people need to do that. She added that people should think about their role in bringing peace, harmony, or kindness to their home, community, or classroom, and that if we start there, then it can grow. Thousands of poles exist across the world, Morrow said, to show a commitment to peace.
After the celebration, Rotarians on both sides of the border climbed the Gordie Howe International Bridge. Members walked in shirts, red for Canadians and blue for Americans, each showing half of the bridge. When members from each country stood together, it connected the two sides. At the halfway point, they gathered to celebrate their friendship and eat a cookie.
Rotary Bridge Walk Celebrates Unity
Edward Smith, the District Governor Nominee for District 6400, travelled from Michigan to attend the celebration on the Canadian side. Outside his own home, Smith said he has a similar peace pole to advocate for people of all ethnicities. Smith said there are a lot of things that people can look at to divide us, but we are all one.
The event comes at a time when Canada-U.S. relations are tumultuous, highlighted by an ongoing trade war between the two countries. Smith said he felt it was important to show they still have love for Canadians and that a bridge of friendship remains among citizens from both sides. He said our friendship is long-lasting, and it will last long beyond any confusion that is there right now.
Poles Highlight Lasting Cross Border Ties
For Morrow, she recognized Saturday's event will not solve tensions in U.S.-Canada relations, but it will serve as a reminder of the long-lasting friendships for residents on both sides. She said that through it all, we have maintained friendships, and so she thinks it is important that despite all the things that come at us that sometimes can really be challenging and can really be emotional, it is also an opportunity to say that good things are happening.
The Windsor ceremony was captured in a photo by Robert Lothian of CTV News Windsor, showing Rotarians gathered to unveil the new peace pole overlooking the Gordie Howe International Bridge. The twin unveilings and the bridge walk highlighted the cross-border ties between the two communities. Organizers said the matching poles stand as a permanent symbol of that connection.
CTVNews
CTVToronto:This story was compiled and edited by the HeadTopics newsroom and HT AI from the reports above.
Peace Poles Gordie Howe International Bridge Canada US Relations Rotary District 6400
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