BLAINE, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com)—Whatcom County and Canadian citizens will show solidarity at the border this weekend.
The “Peace, Love and a Handshake” rallies continue on Saturday, April 12 at Peace Arch Monument in Blaine.
The rallies have been happening for several Saturdays after a group that met online wanted to strengthen the cross-border relationship that they say has been damaged by politics in recent months.
It comes amid a significant drop in Canadians traveling over the border, which Blaine Mayor Mary Lou Steward says has hit local business communities hard.
“I think we’re going to be in a lot of hurt, and I know that if we’re bad in Blaine, Point Roberts is even worse,” Steward told My Bellingham Now. “Some of their businesses are closing that have been in business for a long time. We may see the same thing happen in Blaine.”
Saturday’s gathering takes place from noon to 2 p.m. at Peace Arch Monument Park and will feature live music.
The gathering will end with participants lining up for a hockey-style handshake.
Photos from the “Peace, Love and a Handshake” rally on April 12, 2025 by Sam Kristofferson
