Taking a cue from the supportive singers and clappers on balconies in Europe, workers on the waterfront in Saint John will host a noisy display at the port.
The folks who work at Port Saint John and their partners are teaming up for the Solidarity for All salute to pay tribute to frontline workers battling the pandemic.
Pat Riley, business agent for Local 273 of the International Longshoreman’s Association, said the event is meant to show support and solidarity for all workers from those in healthcare to police and fire personnel.
“Transportation workers like our bus drivers, drug store workers and grocery store workers. Workers providing take out food when there is no place to get a quick meal on the run. All public and private workers required to keep our community going,” Riley said.
On Saturday @ 11:45 A.M., ships, trucks & trains in SJ Harbour & Courtenay Bay will participate in a noise-making & tug water display to salute #COVID19 front line & essential workers. If you live in the area, please join in making some noise from your balcony or windows. pic.twitter.com/9CQXkZFl1N
— Port Saint John (@PortSaintJohn) April 9, 2020
Riley said all ships in the harbour, in Courtenay Bay and at Canaport are asked to honk their horns Saturday at 11:45 a.m.
“We’ve enlisted support from our NB Southern Railway friends, our partners in providing cargo for the port. They will have a couple of locomotives in the port on that day. They will let go with their horns,” Riley said.
Anyone living near the port is asked to join in on Saturday.
“At Port Saint John, we appreciate this heartfelt gesture being led by our working waterfront. Due to physical distancing measures, many in the community will not be able to see or hear this in person, we encourage people near to the Port to listen or watch from their homes, even make noise from your balconies or windows,” added Jim Quinn, president and CEO of Port Saint John, in a statement.
The event will be filmed by Port Saint John and posted on their social media channels for everyone to see.
